Behind every successful man apparently it’s not just one woman standing behind him. In some countries, it’s four.
I’ve often heard the expression: “Behind every successful man stands a strong woman.”
A relative of mine sat there reflecting on it for a moment, before suddenly realizing why there are so many billionaires in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Over there, there are often several wives standing behind the man. No wonder they’re doing so well 🤣
But the joke has a serious side to it
The expression comes from a time when women weren’t allowed to stand in front, only behind. They sacrificed their own dreams so the man could pursue his. And the support they provided, both emotionally and practically, has often been crucial, yet invisible.
The fact that we still use this saying might be a small warning sign of how slowly some perceptions change.
Because we rarely say: “Behind every successful woman stands a strong man.”
Why not? Maybe because women are still expected to handle most things on their own, while men are expected to be out front.
Something to bring into both work and life
No one succeeds entirely alone. Behind most great achievements are people who never get the applause, even though they deserve it. Recognize the support roles, both professionally and personally.
And perhaps most importantly: Ask yourself who you stand behind, and who stands behind you. A small thank you today can have a big impact tomorrow.
Happy Friday 😊 Do you have any invisible supporters you’d like to give a shoutout to?
Want to reflect a little further? Success is rarely about one person alone. It’s about collaboration. If you’d like to read more about how invisible supporters contribute to the bigger picture, security and performance, both on stage and in the office, I can recommend this one: When Success Is About More Than Soloists
