Comments on: My study of the six-figure pom-pom girl http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Thu, 03 Jul 2008 22:28:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: DuryleGirl http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-147504 DuryleGirl Mon, 19 May 2008 04:22:46 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-147504 I LOVED this blog. I am a former cheerleader myself and have found that all of my experience in cheerleading did better prepare me for corporate life. Now, honestly, not all of my peers went on to pursue careers. Many of them are token "trophy wife's". I was a co-captain of my varsity squad my senior year, and I defintely think it helped to make me a more collaborative, positive, contagiously enthusiastic leader, in the position I am in today. I LOVED this blog. I am a former cheerleader myself and have found that all of my experience in cheerleading did better prepare me for corporate life. Now, honestly, not all of my peers went on to pursue careers. Many of them are token “trophy wife’s”. I was a co-captain of my varsity squad my senior year, and I defintely think it helped to make me a more collaborative, positive, contagiously enthusiastic leader, in the position I am in today.

]]> By: Gel and his Neverland » On motivation - what makes me tick. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-43068 Gel and his Neverland » On motivation - what makes me tick. Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:51:19 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-43068 [...] From this blog, a psychologist was quoted that people are motivated by one of the following four areas: [...] […] From this blog, a psychologist was quoted that people are motivated by one of the following four areas: […]

]]> By: cindy@staged4more http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21851 cindy@staged4more Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:51:27 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21851 it makes a lot of sense (disclaimer: i am not a cheerleader. don't have the personailty, sorry). i teach yoga in addition to stage people's homes for sale or to live or work. i started taking over a class at a spa several months ago and the numbers have been small which made the numbers-driven owners very concerned since they make less money. (it was honestly the worse phone call i had ever received and very hurtful to hear that "you are a negative person and maybe this is not such a good fit, etc. etc." i was horrified. i am always proud of my steller job performance and the odd thing was students love the class because it's small and intimate) because of this shocking talk, i started to talk to students about it to see how they like the class. just simply chatting made their energies a lot warmer. it got me thinking.. several months ago, i had lost 2 family members in the same week, and i was a wreck. (i am still a wreck, but a little bit less of a wreck). perhaps i was giving out negative energy to the students when i first retunred to work. and it made uncomfortable for the students. anyway, my point is that why it makes sense to me is that cheerleaders tend to have great relationships with people who surround them because they are naturely positive people who make others feel welcome and comfortable, therefore more likely to do business with them. my experience made me realize that even though i am not a cheerleader type, but there are still things i can do to make people feel welcome and want to do business with me. a lot of it depending on my attitudes. cheers, cindy <strong>* * * * * * *</strong> <I>Right, Cindy. I think it's important to realize that you don't have to be an outgoing, cheerleader type to be someone people want to do business with. You Just have to be comfortable and positive. -Penelope</i> it makes a lot of sense (disclaimer: i am not a cheerleader. don’t have the personailty, sorry). i teach yoga in addition to stage people’s homes for sale or to live or work. i started taking over a class at a spa several months ago and the numbers have been small which made the numbers-driven owners very concerned since they make less money. (it was honestly the worse phone call i had ever received and very hurtful to hear that “you are a negative person and maybe this is not such a good fit, etc. etc.” i was horrified. i am always proud of my steller job performance and the odd thing was students love the class because it’s small and intimate)

because of this shocking talk, i started to talk to students about it to see how they like the class. just simply chatting made their energies a lot warmer.

it got me thinking..

several months ago, i had lost 2 family members in the same week, and i was a wreck. (i am still a wreck, but a little bit less of a wreck). perhaps i was giving out negative energy to the students when i first retunred to work. and it made uncomfortable for the students.

anyway, my point is that why it makes sense to me is that cheerleaders tend to have great relationships with people who surround them because they are naturely positive people who make others feel welcome and comfortable, therefore more likely to do business with them. my experience made me realize that even though i am not a cheerleader type, but there are still things i can do to make people feel welcome and want to do business with me. a lot of it depending on my attitudes.

cheers,

cindy

* * * * * * *

Right, Cindy. I think it’s important to realize that you don’t have to be an outgoing, cheerleader type to be someone people want to do business with. You Just have to be comfortable and positive.

-Penelope

]]> By: Alan http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21800 Alan Tue, 30 Jan 2007 20:45:45 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21800 Most people around me with six and seven figure incomes were academic overachievers. Most of them are in different areas of the financial services industry and they are both male and female. Of those who own their own businesses and were not academic overachievers, they either came from some degree of wealth (new and old) or their business partners did. Not all of them are particularly motivated, either. They just had opportunities that their employees didn't. Also, the cheerleaders at my college-town high school were often underachievers. They were from predominantly (if not exclusively) black, poor families while the rich white girls played soccer and other sports. In addition, the jocks who went on to good jobs were also in all AP courses, nerding it up next to the less athletic nerds. And lastly, a lot of people change significantly between high school and age 30. I know at least one stoner high school drop out now in graduate school at a top university. I can think of three women off the top of my head who were social rejects in high school and yet went on to highly successful careers in finance, architecture and advertising. Clearly people interpret things differently depending on who they are surrounded by, and apparently my experience has been very different from yours. I do see your point. However, I think you'll find that successful people come from many backgrounds and have a variety of motivations. One investment banker I know only does it because his wife won't stop having kids and he's a pushover. Other people I know just fell into their high-powered jobs. Different strokes for different folks. Most people around me with six and seven figure incomes were academic overachievers. Most of them are in different areas of the financial services industry and they are both male and female. Of those who own their own businesses and were not academic overachievers, they either came from some degree of wealth (new and old) or their business partners did. Not all of them are particularly motivated, either. They just had opportunities that their employees didn’t.

Also, the cheerleaders at my college-town high school were often underachievers. They were from predominantly (if not exclusively) black, poor families while the rich white girls played soccer and other sports. In addition, the jocks who went on to good jobs were also in all AP courses, nerding it up next to the less athletic nerds.

And lastly, a lot of people change significantly between high school and age 30. I know at least one stoner high school drop out now in graduate school at a top university. I can think of three women off the top of my head who were social rejects in high school and yet went on to highly successful careers in finance, architecture and advertising.

Clearly people interpret things differently depending on who they are surrounded by, and apparently my experience has been very different from yours.

I do see your point. However, I think you’ll find that successful people come from many backgrounds and have a variety of motivations. One investment banker I know only does it because his wife won’t stop having kids and he’s a pushover. Other people I know just fell into their high-powered jobs. Different strokes for different folks.

]]> By: Why I’ll Never Be CEO; Or First You Get the Men, Then You Get the Power, Then You Get the Money « der Blaustrumpf http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21124 Why I’ll Never Be CEO; Or First You Get the Men, Then You Get the Power, Then You Get the Money « der Blaustrumpf Sun, 28 Jan 2007 05:20:55 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21124 [...] My study of the six-figure pom-pom girl Most of my girlfriends who make more than $100K a year were cheerleaders in school. We are from all over the United States. We are from all different types of companies. Only a few of us can do the splits. Yet we all bounced in short skirts and cheered for boys. [...] […] My study of the six-figure pom-pom girl Most of my girlfriends who make more than $100K a year were cheerleaders in school. We are from all over the United States. We are from all different types of companies. Only a few of us can do the splits. Yet we all bounced in short skirts and cheered for boys. […]

]]> By: David Perry http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21030 David Perry Sat, 27 Jan 2007 11:27:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-21030 Cheerleading is not just for the ladies, hear are a few famous American leaders who where cheerleaders: President George W. Bush , Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Aaaron Spelling, Michael Douglas and Samuel L. Jackson. Cheerleading is not just for the ladies, hear are a few famous American leaders who where cheerleaders: President George W. Bush , Former President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Aaaron Spelling, Michael Douglas and Samuel L. Jackson.

]]> By: Margaret http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20929 Margaret Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:34:25 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20929 don't you mean the "dot-pom-pom" boom? : ) Also, cheerleaders and empty-headed blondes are two different animals. I for one am a short, squat brunette trapped in a tall blonde body. don’t you mean the “dot-pom-pom” boom? : )

Also, cheerleaders and empty-headed blondes are two different animals. I for one am a short, squat brunette trapped in a tall blonde body.

]]> By: Dave http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20928 Dave Fri, 26 Jan 2007 20:31:45 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20928 This reminded me of a funny event back during the dot-com boom. Working at a big (now defunct) Web consultancy, I was assigned to work with a (now defunct) triple-play cosmetics firm (mail order, Web, bricks). At my first meeting with the client, I found myself the only guy at a table with eight very energetic, visionary, enthusiastic, talented and accomplished women. (Tough assignment.) At one point--I don't remember how it came up--the VP asked, "How many of you were cheerleaders?" I was amazed when seven of the eight raised their hands--and the exception had been the homecoming queen. That "empty-headed blonde" stereotype of cheerleaders has no traction in today's world. This reminded me of a funny event back during the dot-com boom.

Working at a big (now defunct) Web consultancy, I was assigned to work with a (now defunct) triple-play cosmetics firm (mail order, Web, bricks).

At my first meeting with the client, I found myself the only guy at a table with eight very energetic, visionary, enthusiastic, talented and accomplished women. (Tough assignment.)

At one point–I don’t remember how it came up–the VP asked, “How many of you were cheerleaders?”

I was amazed when seven of the eight raised their hands–and the exception had been the homecoming queen.

That “empty-headed blonde” stereotype of cheerleaders has no traction in today’s world.

]]> By: Dale http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20897 Dale Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:36:46 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20897 I hated this post, at first, primarily because I felt it went against many things I believe are "right." I have/had the preconception that cheerleaders are shallow self-absorbed individuals, who crave attention and who capitalize on the one thing that they have that most others do not - looks. I was looking at it on a superficial level. I now realize that the real message in this blog is as true as anything that I have ever heard! The skills, personality traits, attitude, and work ethic required to be a good cheerleader are those required to become a success in life - not accounting for luck. My wife is constantly trying to encourage our children to show what they know, not to be afraid to perform in front of others - in any situation, sports, spelling bees, music, etc. The variables that surround these situations are the same as those inherent in cheerleading, but the most important in my opinion are focus, competitiveness, and confidence. We all have friends who achieve more than we give them credit for being able to achieve, and in most cases I believe the unaccounted for variables were focus, competitiveness, and confidence. Traits that I have in very short supply. I hated this post,

at first,
primarily because I felt it went against many things I believe are “right.” I have/had the preconception that cheerleaders are shallow self-absorbed individuals, who crave attention and who capitalize on the one thing that they have that most others do not - looks.
I was looking at it on a superficial level. I now realize that the real message in this blog is as true as anything that I have ever heard! The skills, personality traits, attitude, and work ethic required to be a good cheerleader are those required to become a success in life - not accounting for luck.
My wife is constantly trying to encourage our children to show what they know, not to be afraid to perform in front of others - in any situation, sports, spelling bees, music, etc.
The variables that surround these situations are the same as those inherent in cheerleading, but the most important in my opinion are focus, competitiveness, and confidence.
We all have friends who achieve more than we give them credit for being able to achieve, and in most cases I believe the unaccounted for variables were focus, competitiveness, and confidence. Traits that I have in very short supply.

]]> By: David Perry http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20883 David Perry Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:47:40 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2007/01/25/my-study-of-the-six-figure-pom-pom-girl/#comment-20883 Leaders are leaders no matter where they come from. Interestingly enough cheerleaders - especially head cheerleaders - are rock solid leaders. At least the ones I've met. It's not where you start accumulating your leadership experience - it's that you start AND most people never do. Cheerleaders have a leg up on band geeks or chess club members or even debate team members and 'spectators". Why? Because being a cheerleader requires that you put aside what 'society" sees as "valuable" and do what you believe is right - at least for you. That takes courage and conviction. Which is something they have in common with leaders. <strong>* * * * * * </strong> <I>Wow. I really love this comment. i don't really have anything to add. Except that I wish I had written it myself.   - Penelope</i>   Leaders are leaders no matter where they come from. Interestingly enough cheerleaders - especially head cheerleaders - are rock solid leaders. At least the ones I’ve met.

It’s not where you start accumulating your leadership experience - it’s that you start AND most people never do.

Cheerleaders have a leg up on band geeks or chess club members or even debate team members and ’spectators”. Why? Because being a cheerleader requires that you put aside what ’society” sees as “valuable” and do what you believe is right - at least for you. That takes courage and conviction.
Which is something they have in common with leaders.

* * * * * *

Wow. I really love this comment. i don’t really have anything to add. Except that I wish I had written it myself.   - Penelope

 

]]>