--- title: My Lightbulb Moment -Microaggression or Micro-Assertion? description: Ernest Hemingway was an American novelist. His economical and understated style had a strong influence on 20th century fiction image: https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hubfs/Image-1.png --- [![#GirlsClub logo-250x150](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hubfs/%23GirlsClub%20logo-250x150.png)](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/home) ![menu](https://f.hubspotusercontent40.net/hubfs/7479797/menu.png) ![close_24px](https://7479797.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/7479797/close_24px.svg) - Certification Program Show submenu for Certification Program - [Program Overview](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/certification-program) - [Join the Movement](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/application) Show submenu for Join the Movement - [Protégé Application](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/protege-application) - [Nominate an Aspiring Leader](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/nominate) - [Become a Mentor](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/mentor-application) - [Scholarships](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/scholarships) - [See the Impact](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/impact) - [Alumni Spotlight](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/alumni-updates) - [2025 #GirlsClub Award Winners](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/2025-awards-nominate) - Leader Corner Show submenu for Leader Corner - [Build Your Leadership Pipeline](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/leadership-pipeline) - [Become a Mentor](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/mentor-application) - [Nominate an Aspiring Leader](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/nominate) - [Become a Thought Leader](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/thoughtleader-application) - [Legacy Executive Club](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com) - Events Show submenu for Events - Past Events Show submenu for Past Events - [A Career in Sales — Is It Right for You (and How to Climb Faster!)](https://wearegirlsclub.ondemand.goldcast.io/on-demand/4fa0ff42-1e14-41df-bb75-7bdbfb995b2f) - [Unstoppable Confidence with Heather Monahan](https://wearegirlsclub.ondemand.goldcast.io/on-demand/4e067ba0-d9ef-4475-94d4-142c1129d284) - [time management: from human doing to human being](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/timemanagment) - [The Sales-to-CEO Playbook: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, & Resilience](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/salestoceoplaybook) - Media Show submenu for Media - [Podcast](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/podcast) - [Blog](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs) - [Brochures](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/brochures) - Top 25 Lists Show submenu for Top 25 Lists - [2024 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2024) - [Top 25 ERG Leaders](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-erg-leaders) - [2023 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2023) - [2022 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2022) - [2021 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2021) - [2020 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2020) - [About Us](https://wearegirlsclub.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/contact-us) - [LEARNING CENTER LOGIN](https://wearegirlsclub.litmos.com/account/login) - Certification Program Show submenu for Certification Program - [Program Overview](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/certification-program) - [Join the Movement](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/application) Show submenu for Join the Movement - [Protégé Application](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/protege-application) - [Nominate an Aspiring Leader](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/nominate) - [Become a Mentor](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/mentor-application) - [Scholarships](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/scholarships) - [See the Impact](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/impact) - [Alumni Spotlight](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/alumni-updates) - [2025 #GirlsClub Award Winners](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/2025-awards-nominate) - Leader Corner Show submenu for Leader Corner - [Build Your Leadership Pipeline](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/leadership-pipeline) - [Become a Mentor](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/mentor-application) - [Nominate an Aspiring Leader](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/nominate) - [Become a Thought Leader](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/thoughtleader-application) - [Legacy Executive Club](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com) - Events Show submenu for Events - Past Events Show submenu for Past Events - [A Career in Sales — Is It Right for You (and How to Climb Faster!)](https://wearegirlsclub.ondemand.goldcast.io/on-demand/4fa0ff42-1e14-41df-bb75-7bdbfb995b2f) - [Unstoppable Confidence with Heather Monahan](https://wearegirlsclub.ondemand.goldcast.io/on-demand/4e067ba0-d9ef-4475-94d4-142c1129d284) - [time management: from human doing to human being](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/timemanagment) - [The Sales-to-CEO Playbook: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, & Resilience](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/salestoceoplaybook) - Media Show submenu for Media - [Podcast](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/podcast) - [Blog](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs) - [Brochures](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/brochures) - Top 25 Lists Show submenu for Top 25 Lists - [2024 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2024) - [Top 25 ERG Leaders](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-erg-leaders) - [2023 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2023) - [2022 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2022) - [2021 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2021) - [2020 Top 25](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/top-25-2020) - [About Us](https://wearegirlsclub.com/about-us?hsLang=en) - [Contact Us](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/contact-us) - [LEARNING CENTER LOGIN](https://wearegirlsclub.litmos.com/account/login) [CONTACT US](https://www.hubspot.com/) [LEARNING CENTER LOGIN](https://www.hubspot.com/) [Confidence Advice](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/confidence-advice) [LB's Corner](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/lbs-corner) # My Lightbulb Moment -Microaggression or Micro-Assertion? [![](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/f5f7a0fbefaac3de3b1d4ff2b57b188e-1.png?width=50&height=50&name=f5f7a0fbefaac3de3b1d4ff2b57b188e-1.png)](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/author/lauren-bailey) [Lauren Bailey](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/author/lauren-bailey) Apr 30, 2025 12:08:50 PM You’ve heard of **microaggressions** – subtle yet offensive comments / actions that communicate negative attitudes. They’re as painful as they are unintentional sometimes, and they show us how people *really feel.* --- **Lightbulb moment:** As women, we need more micro **ASSERTIONS**. As a gender we’re known for not speaking up, jumping in, raising our hands and taking risks. We don’t take up our space, use our voice, or stand up for ourselves as much as the guys, and as a result, we’re often taken advantage of, passed over, and under-appreciated. I’m not saying let’s get aggressive, let’s get assertive and let’s do it in tiny ways OFTEN. Listen, I’ve learned during 25 years in adult education that changing behavior isn’t about knowing WHAT to do, it’s the WHEN and HOW to do it. “Speak up” is a great theoretical piece of advice, but “At the start of the meeting, clearly state your role and goal” is much more actionable right? Small moment, small move, big effect: Micro Assertion! One of the most powerful things we do in our [#GirlsClub](https://z2l.27e.myftpupload.com/girlsclub_microassertion/#:~:text=One%20of%20the,can%20too%20right%3F) certification cohorts and our [on-demand subscribers](https://z2l.27e.myftpupload.com/girlsclub_microassertion/#:~:text=One%20of%20the,can%20too%20right%3F) is surround our women with powerful role models. Women at the top of their game sharing real stories of fears and victories in full transparency so we can see all of their glorious bad-assery. They show us hard things can be done and it’s not that they weren’t afraid. It’s that they were brave enough to do it anyway. And when we see one woman do it, we know we can too right? So how do all these things come together? Micro-assertions. Identifying, communicating, and then trying tiny acts of assertiveness so we get faster triggers on when to try them and build some muscle memory executing them. Are you feeling me? Do **MICRO-ASSERTIONS** like this: - When you’re asked in a meeting to own something you can’t or shouldn’t. Say, ***Thanks Bob. Let’s address that one offline, I may need to move some things around.*** It’s tiny. It’s easy. It may happen a lot. It isn’t yes, it isn’t no, it’s speaking up and giving you time and a conversation to get what you really need (more time, new priorities, an assistant). - You enter a zoom room for a big meeting and you’re early. The instinct may be to hide, but now is the time to turn the camera on, square your shoulders, smile, and call people out by name to meet them. Like this, ***Good morning! Looks like we’re a few minutes early. I’m Lauren, I own the technical solution. Kate? Do I see you are here?*** - (This one recently happened to me). I noticed I was feeling really frustrated with a contractor. Lists of issues were streaming through my head and keeping me up at night. But, I was talking to myself and my husband and NOT the offending worker.    #### Micro Assertion: I took note of my feelings and pinpointed my exact issue. Then I sent a short note stating un-emotionally how I felt and that we needed to meet soon. (This made sure the meeting would happen, that my intention was clear, and I wouldn’t chicken out!).   The day of the meeting I kicked us off with my desire to “clear the air and get back on track.” This isn’t rocket science, but I don’t have a long history of speaking up when I’m feeling infringed upon or disappointed. The micro-assertion here is stopping to ask yourself, ***“How do I feel about this?” Have I communicated that?*** And then buying myself time if I need it to plan, deescalate, plan, and thoughtfully respond (vs. react). Try it two to three times this week. Stop and check in. What are you “taking” you maybe shouldn’t be? Unapologetically owning our gifts and power and getting what we deserve is not just about the big moves. It’s about building habits, recognizing opportunities, and feeling more and more confident in taking them consistently. I’d LOVE to hear your example of a micro-assertion. I’ll put it in my next blog! . Email me at **LB@Factor8.com** (<- that’s my first company, I’m too busy to check two emails) .   ###### Topics - [LB's Corner](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/lbs-corner) - [Career Development](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/career-development) - [Confidence Advice](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/confidence-advice) - [Community](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/community) - [Uncategorized](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/uncategorized) - [Sales Leadership](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/sales-leadership) - [Women Empowerment](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/women-empowerment) - [Events](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/events) - [Gender Pay Gap](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/gender-pay-gap) - [Hiring Tips](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/hiring-tips) - [Announcements](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/announcements) - [Diversity & Inclusion](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/diversity-inclusion) - [Imposter Syndrome](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/imposter-syndrome) - [Job Promotion](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/job-promotion) - [LGBTQIA+](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/tag/lgbtqia) ###### Popular Post - [Sales’ Biggest Problem IS Solvable!](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/sales-biggest-problem-is-solvable) - [Fireside Chat: How to Be an Ally to the LGTBQIA+ Community](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/fireside-chat-lgbtqia-ally/) - [Four Things That The SaaStr Did To Build Diversity And Inclusion](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/saastr-build-diversity-inclusion/) - [Seven common misconceptions about graphic design](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-2) - [#GirlsClub Guide to: Asking for a Promotion](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/girlsclub-guide-to-virtual-sales-ask-for-a-promotion/) ###### Subscribe Previous Post ###### [Five innovative approaches to improve your design](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/five-innovative-approaches-to-improve-your-design-2) Next Post ###### [Seven common misconceptions about graphic design](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-2) ### Similar Blog Posts [![](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-1.png?width=352&name=Image-1.png)](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design) ##### [Seven common misconceptions about graphic design](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design) [Read More](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design) [![](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-1.png?width=352&name=Image-1.png)](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-1) ##### [Seven common misconceptions about graphic design](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-1) [Read More](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-1) [![](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-1.png?width=352&name=Image-1.png)](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-2) ##### [Seven common misconceptions about graphic design](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-2) [Read More](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/seven-common-misconceptions-about-graphic-design-2) #### Join us! Join the #GirlsClub Community! Sign up below to hear about our new content, upcoming events, and important updates about #GirlsClub! [![logo-gc](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hubfs/logo-gc.svg)](https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/home) (480) 630-5344 [info@wearegirlsclub.com](mailto:info@wearegirlsclub.com) - - [**Home**](https://wearegirlsclub.com/home) [Certification Program](https://wearegirlsclub.com/certification-program) [About](https://wearegirlsclub.com/about-us) [Contact](https://wearegirlsclub.com/contact-us) **Quick Links** [Nominate a Protégé](https://wearegirlsclub.com/nominate) [Apply as a Mentor](https://wearegirlsclub.com/mentor-application) [Learning Center Login](https://wearegirlsclub.litmos.com/account/login) © 2025. All rights reserved ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lauren Bailey", "url" : "https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/author/lauren-bailey" }, "dateModified" : "2025-04-30T21:03:16.035Z", "datePublished" : "2025-04-30T19:08:50.000Z", "headline" : "My Lightbulb Moment -Microaggression or Micro-Assertion?", "image" : [ "https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hubfs/Image-1.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/blogs/girlsclub_microassertion/", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://info.wearegirlsclub.com/hubfs/4-2.png" }, "name" : "We Are Girls Club | Legacy" } } ```