One of my favorite bosses of all time was a feminist, although I honestly don't believe he would have described himself that way. If you had asked him, I think Ian Proudfoot would have been surprised by the thought that anyone would have to actually make that distinction.

Of course, you give the right job to the right person and pay them fairly.

Of course, you press your employees to find balance in their lives, to make family time a priority.

Of course, you pepper your senior management team with an interesting variety of oysters and grit, so you can make the most amazing pearls possible (I'm pretty sure I was grit).

It was a long time before I realized I was one of the lucky ones who benefited from having a progressive, authentic leader who wasn't afraid to do what was right and to admit when he was wrong, who celebrated the unique contributions individuals made, and who was gender-blind when it came to promoting his team. He should give lessons.

Not all women have been, or will be, so lucky.

brenda