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!
The poem is great. Sums up where women have been stuck for the last 20 years. I totally agree we have to step up and fight in the ways that create change and not waste time breaking windows.
My passion is to help women grow income through product development and business ownership.
Darlene