My (male) boss recently criticized the clothes I wear to work. I was really upset about it, because I don’t make enough to buy fancy clothes for work, and also because I think my clothing is totally appropriate. A few weeks later, Awesome Female Executive pulled me aside and said she had a whole pile of clothes she didn’t wear anymore, and we’re about the same size, so would I like to take any of the hand-me-downs? I said OK, and the “hand me downs” were all brand new or barely worn clothes, some from designer labels.
I’ll never be sure if she really gave me old clothes or if she bought new ones for me, but either way she didn’t make any mention of what my boss had said. She’s worked with him for a long time and knows how many rude, inappropriate, and sometimes sexist things he has said to women coworkers before. She also worked her way up from the bottom and I’m sure she knows what it’s like to have to live off an assistant’s salary. It was such a small thing to do, but it was so nice, and it really restored my faith in my company and in people in general. I hope someday when I’m a boss I’m like her. –Submitted by Linda, North Carolina
Longtime reader, first-time commenter. I had the exact experience (save, the criticism), over 15 years ago. Great story!