pantene — Blog — Jill Jacinto

Be honest: if you are female and in the career world, you've uttered the phrase "I'm sorry" more times than you care to recall. You preface statements with "I'm sorry," utter the phrase after someone steps on your shoe or closes the elevator door on your foot, or say it to grab someone's attention.

Bearing that in mind, Pantene has just released a new ShineStrong ad campaign, I'm Sorry, that showcases how women belittle themselves by mentioning the phrase everywhere, from the boardroom to the bedroom. The next phase of the commercial showcases what happens when these women remove "sorry" from their vocabulary.

This advertisement is the second wave of Pantene's women empowerment ads. Last year's commercial (Labels Against Women) highlighted workplace labels; "I'm Sorry" is just the latest in a series of thought-provoking ad campaigns geared toward professional women.

You're not really sorry. What you are really trying to do is tell the other person that they must be busier or more important than you--which is why you're "sorry" to disturb them. Except this is almost never the case, especially when you are at the office. You are there to work, and oftentimes that means offering up your ideas. That's what your boss and coworkers are looking for. Saying you're sorry is holding you back.

Sorry is a five letter word. You need to banish the word "sorry" from your workplace vocabulary. Don't use it as a crutch. Don't hide behind its emptiness. Stand up for what you believe in. Do you want someone's attention? Ask for it. Don't apologize for it. Colleen Jay, president of P&G Global Hair Care and Color says, "We believe the message of the 'Not Sorry' video will resonate with women, encouraging them to be more aware of this diminishing behavior and, in turn, prevent any bias they may be unconsciously creating."

Bring Back Confidence. You are where you are professionally because you earned it. You didn't just get lucky. Your talents and skills were recognized, and that's what earned you the job and got you the position you deserve. You have nothing to feel sorry about. So if you feel an "I'm sorry" coming on, bite your tongue, pause, watch this ad and rephrase your next statement. "I think," maybe?

Barbie's been a fashion designer, scientist, doctor, U.S. President, pilot, and lawyer and now she can add entrepreneur to her running list of professions. In her 55-year history, Barbie has held more than 55 careers. Can we say Renaissance woman?

Mattel will launch Entrepreneur Barbie this summer. The doll comes with a smartphone, tablet computer and will even have her own LinkedIn Profile to help her stay connected to her business colleagues...Skipper and Ken. It's clear that Barbie has taken Sheryl Sandberg's advice and is leaning in to her career a bit more in 2014.

Why did Mattel launch this career over another?

Barbie always looks for a sign of the times to release a new doll as a role model for young girls. They tracked the increase of female-owned businesses, which have far outpaced the growth of men's businesses. One in three businesses is owned by women. According to Entrepreneur.com, 41% of women are the breadwinners for their family.

Yet, the conversation doesn't stop at Barbie's new resume.

Mattel is continuing the conversation by adding an online component that features real-life female entrepreneurs who are champions of their industry. The brand collaborates with "Chief Inspiration Officers" from the founders of Rent the Runway, One Kings Lane, Sugarfina, Girls Who Code, Genuine Insights, Girl Scout Cadette, Plum Ally and the TomKat Studio.

These real-life sources of female entrepreneurial success will offer their personalized career tips and tricks along with blog posts and activities and career-themed games.

"If girls are taught at a young age that entrepreneurship is a plausible and satisfying career path, perhaps that will encourage more female-owned businesses in the future," said Jenny Fliess, Rent The Runway co-founder.

The brand will also include a social media component which includes the hashtag #unapologetic. This is on par with Pantene's recent ad, 'Not sorry.' It's a growing trend that tells women to stop apologizing for their success and place in the workforce.

Mattel is doing their part to change the narrative of the women in the workplace conversation.

Barbie has gone a long way from her California blonde roots. Creating a toy girls can play with and in virtue "practice" future careers is something that can help transforms little girls' mindsets for the rest of their lives.