When you think about women in the workplace, what comes to mind?
For many, the perception of women’s roles in professional settings has evolved over time. Yet, even with progress, there are lingering stigmas about how women support—or fail to support—one another at work.
Throughout my career, I have encountered a broad spectrum of women—those who truly want to uplift others, those who nitpick to assert their superiority, and those who go to great lengths to undermine a perceived competitor. It’s a dynamic that, unfortunately, still exists in many professional spaces. The underlying belief seems to be that there are only a limited number of “seats” for women at the table, leading to unnecessary competition and division.
But here’s the truth: The table is not fixed in size. We don’t need to fight over seats. Instead, we can expand the table with innovation, pull up more chairs, and create room for everyone.
The only things we can control are our attitudes and our actions. Each of us has the ability to help someone else grow, and in doing so, we grow as well. Yes, this principle applies to both men and women, but for now, I want to focus on women supporting women. Too often, I’ve heard phrases like “cat fight” or “the women are at it again.” These narratives perpetuate the idea that women cannot work together without conflict when in reality, collaboration makes us all stronger.
I’ve personally experienced the effects of both competition and integrity in the workplace. At one point in my career, I worked under a supervisor who was struggling with her responsibilities. Rather than seeking support or growth, she handed off much of her work to me. When she turned in my work as her own, she received all the praise, brushing it off with, “That’s what I’m here for.” I struggled with this at first, but after praying about it, I made a decision: I was not working for the praise.
For six months, I continued doing the work quietly. Eventually, she resigned, and the EVP (Executive Vice President) asked her if I would be a good fit for her role. Instead of acknowledging my contributions, she claimed I was behind on my projects and not pulling my weight. Her words carried enough influence that the EVP decided she wanted me gone. Suddenly, every move I made was scrutinized.
But something unexpected happened. Despite the EVP’s initial doubts, she soon realized that even though my supervisor was gone—and despite the difficulty of filling the position—the work was still getting done. On time. Every time. She called me in and asked, “What changed?”
My answer was simple: Nothing had changed. I had been doing the same work all along. As she listed projects one by one, I confirmed I had always been responsible for them. Then came the realization—she asked, “Then what was the other person doing?” I couldn’t answer that. I could only account for my own work.
Later, I was told that I was the only person who had ever survived being in the EVP’s crosshairs—and not only did I survive, I had gained her respect.
That moment solidified something for me: Truth always rises to the surface. Instead of fighting over a seat, I focused on working with excellence, and in the end, that spoke louder than anything else.
If we shift our focus to building others up, we become more secure in our abilities. Tearing others down only breeds irritation, and discontent, and it slows progress. Instead of seeing another woman’s success as a threat, what if we saw it as a collective win? When one woman rises, she can lift others with her.
And what about those who attack, sabotage, or create unnecessary competition? I’ve learned that many times, hurting people hurt people. Instead of responding with defensiveness or retaliation, we have an opportunity to lead with grace. Helping others—yes, even those who may be trying to tear us down—can be transformative. Sometimes, the person making things difficult simply needs someone to invest in them. It could be life-changing for them… and for you.
Let’s commit to being the change. Let’s be the women who open doors instead of closing them, uplift instead of undermining, and see the value in adding more seats to the table rather than fighting over a few. Our time on this earth is short, but the legacy we leave behind—one of generosity, strength, and empowerment—can last for generations.
Let’s build something greater together.
Lisa Mouradian helps individuals and ministries grow through strategic planning and leadership training. She’s a mother of five and grandmother of six, raising her gymnast granddaughter. When not working, she can be found cheering at gymnastics competitions and camping with her family.
