"You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin. You have to have money, but you can't ask for money because that's crass. You have to be a boss, but you can't be mean. You have to lead, but you can't squash other people's ideas. You're supposed to love being a mother, but don't talk about your kids all the damn time. ~ Gloria (America Ferrara) in the Barbie movie
Hi all,
It's the back to school edition! Normally, this week feels like a return to reality and a welcome return to routine. However with the unseasonable hot weather and some concrete issues in our local schools, things are a bit disrupted still.
Here are my summer highlights and lowlights...
First, the highlights:
Climbing Galdhopiggen
A personal highlight was climbing Galdhopiggen. I've reached the age where I get invited to 50th birthday parties (!) and this one was in Norway. We went a day early and took the opportunity for a climb. It's the highest mountain not just in Norway, but all of Northern Europe and it includes a glacier crossing. A superb achievement for the whole family.
The Barbie Movie
I'm not sure there's too much new to say about this but we thoroughly enjoyed it! If you haven't been, we'd very much recommend it for its take on the patriarchy, some subliminal education for the kids, and Ryan Gosling's astonishing turn as Ken. When asked if he enjoyed the movie, my 11 year old son said, 'It was less of a movie and more of a life lesson'. Love it! I almost had a cry when Gloria (America Ferrara) made her speech about being a woman. It felt revolutionary to see that angle presented in a mass market movie that I was at with my son and his friend.
Fittingly, the Barbie movie has also been the highest grossing movie of 2023 so far, as well as the highest ever grossing movie directed by one woman.
The Lionesses
I was very emotional about this too. The in-real-time revolution we are seeing in women's football is astonishing. I wasn't allowed to play as a kid (said the boys in my school) and to see the joy my sons get from football, and that pleasure being extended to young girls, is just phenomenal.
Equal pay for female cricketers
Here's a Daily Mail headline we can get behind! England Women's cricketers will now get EQUAL pay with male colleagues - a 600% pay rise for Ashes Tests - after they set attendance records against Australia this summer. Bravo!
Then there's the lowlights:
Luis Rubiales
The man who has managed to take the women's footballing win and make it all about him. The less said about him the better I think.
Caitlin Moran - What About Men?
I'm a huge Caitlin fan and had high hopes for this book as a summer read. I was hugely disappointed. Good on her for raising the notion that men need support in our society, but it felt poorly researched and based on stereotypes as a result. She also claimed no one was currently doing any work to champion men and .... er, hello?!!! Masculinity in the Workplace is in its 6th year!
So, it's been a cracking summer and we're all set for the Autumn term. We're super busy and it feels like everyone is back on track for learning and creating sustainable culture change.
Some THC highlights to come:
A free webinar about neuroinclusive recruitment, in partnership with Conker, on 18th September 12.30pm - 1.30pm - contact holly@thehobbsconsultancy.com to register your interest and secure a place.
Masculinity in the Workplace - our annual event to mark International Men's Day is on November 21st this year. We've got some amazing guests speaking on 'The Power of Identity'. Watch this space for more details and how to book your tickets.
Dare to Lead - We will be running a cohort for the Brené Brown programme in December. Click here for more info and to book.
Here's to a fun-filled Autumn term. See you in a couple of weeks!
Rox x