Stuck In The Middle

Originally published on LinkedIn Influencers on June 29, 2015

Today I read yet another article listing the possible reasons why women were not in more leadership positions in financial services firms. The title of the Bloomberg article was called “Stuck in the Middle”. It reminded me of a poem I wrote back in 2001 when I was a Partner and Managing Director at Goldman Sachs which had exactly the same title. I actually forgot I wrote it and cannot remember the last time I looked at it. At the time I was working in the Executive Office helping to manage the careers of the firm’s most senior leaders. Clearly it is a poem written at a point of frustration about progress being so slow. It was a journal entry, one of many I wrote, that captured the ups and downs of trying to create change at a firm, and in an industry, I cared deeply about.

Here is the poem as I wrote it 13 years ago.

Stuck in the Middle (2001)

Stuck in the middle

I first went to school

Stuck in the middle

I did what was cool

Stuck in the middle

I got the grades

Stuck in the middle

The goal was great pay

Stuck in the middle

The interview I got

Stuck in the middle

First job meant a lot

Stuck in the middle

Business I did go

Stuck in the middle

It was time for the show

Stuck in the middle

I worked very hard

Stuck in the middle

I wanted to go far

Stuck in the middle

I played the game

Stuck in the middle

I made myself a name

Stuck in the middle

The years went by fast

Stuck in the middle

How long could I last

Stuck in the middle

Hey, why did they pick that guy?

Stuck in the middle

Come on girl don’t cry

Stuck in the middle

Hand up, take risks

Stuck in the middle

How do I get picked?

Stuck in the middle

The rules I don’t know

Stuck in the middle

Which way do I go?

Stuck in the middle

Maybe I am not that good?

Stuck in the middle

Am I doing what I should?

Stuck in the middle

I just want to go home

Stuck in the middle

I feel so alone

Stuck in the middle

I cannot give up

Stuck in the middle

I have the right stuff

Stuck in the middle

I’m smart, wise and care

Stuck in the middle

I am often scared

Stuck in the middle

Hold my head high

Stuck in the middle

Faith is my guide

Stuck in the middle

I’m told to wait my turn

Stuck in the middle

Another woman get’s burned

Stuck in the middle

Out the door I go

Stuck in the middle

With my sisters in tow

Stuck in the middle

Bring out the power tools

Stuck in the middle

Choose to rule

Stuck in the middle

Confidence is key

Stuck in the middle

Solidarity

Stuck in the middle

The glass will soon break

Stuck in the middle

So much is at stake

Stuck in the middle

Strike, strike, now it’s time

Stuck in the middle

my power in mine

Stuck in the middle

No longer! Unite.

Stuck in the middle

No way, let’s fight!