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". . this can be a particularly damaging habit for women leading companies. We face enough challenges every day – why add to them by starting at a disadvantage?"
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We have all worked for leaders who view apologizing or admitting they made a mistake as a sign of weakness. Such individuals, after inflicting a lot of needless carnage on other people's lives, are generally removed.
Insecurity and selfishness grows like a weed all by itself.  It doesn't need to be "cultivated".