Meg Cadoux Hirshberg is the initial reason I fell in love with Inc. Magazine. For five years, she wrote a column for the magazine called “Balancing Acts” that dealt with that delicate intersection between business and life. Immediately, I respected her as a woman and writer, but also as a wife. (She’s been married for 30 years to Gary, who owns Stonyfield Yogurt.) Smart, savvy, humble, and generous — Meg certainly embodies the spirit of Women Who WOW. I encourage you to get a copy of her recent book, For Better or For Work: A Survival Guide for Entrepreneurs and Their Families.
What ONE THING do you think gives a woman the “WOW” factor?
Being comfortable in her own skin.
What three female celebrities do you think we could learn from – and what ONE sentence lesson do they teach us?
Hillary Clinton: She exemplifies perseverance. Michelle Obama: She is elegant, strong, clearly kind, and full of grace. Angelina Jolie: She has shown genuine and enduring commitment to the downtrodden of the world and has used her celebrity to bring attention to their plight.
What is the most important lesson you learned from YOUR Mom?
To distinguish between problems and troubles. Most challenges in life are problems-they may make you want to lean your head on your desk and moan, but they are ultimately solveable. Trouble is the real deal: death, serious illness, painful divorce. Remembering this distinction helps me on a daily basis.
If women could instantly emulate ONE trait, habit or skill set that YOU possess, which trait, habit or skill set should it be?
I am a good listener. I think that’s important in life, for both men and women.
What ONE success tip or strategy can you leave us with?
Try not to judge yourself harshly. Most women are their own worst critics.
