This past weekend, I saw the inspirational documentary about Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. I walked away with several life lessons from her remarkable career that I believe were noteworthy—regardless of one’s political perspective.
- You can influence people more effectively by being polite and respectful. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a quiet person—not given to histrionics—and yet is resolute in her beliefs. She has argued her positions in front of and on the Supreme Court persuasively without drama, presenting her case with a calm demeanor and well-articulated logic. I am sure that many of us, who have been on one side of an issue and become exasperated by those who fail to see another point of view, are prone to show our frustration both verbally and nonverbally. It takes quite a bit of self-control and composure to, as they say, “disagree without being disagreeable.” We often forget that everyone is worthy of respect and dignity, even if we view the world very differently.
- You can hold distinctly different views with colleagues and still be friends. Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia could not have been more opposite on many critical issues facing the Supreme Court, but they possessed a genuine friendship. They found a common bond in the opera and enjoyed each other’s company on many occasions. Often in life, we hold onto our anger and animosity so tightly that we lose sight of our humanity. And in our relationships, we frequently focus on our differences instead of the fundamental agreements that we share.
- Real change rarely occurs overnight and generally evolves over time. Ruth Bader Ginsburg has been a trailblazer in the women’s rights movement. She entered law school and worked in law firms when women were rare or non-existent. She successfully argued 5 out of 6 gender discrimination cases in front of the Supreme Court. Like the civil rights movement in the U.S., she recognized that real change is incremental, and requires patience and persistence. Those of us who work to change individual behavior or the culture of an organization, know that it takes time and constant reinforcement. Sometimes we take the proverbial “two steps forward and one step back,” but we keep nudging the change forward with steadfast perseverance.
- Women don’t have to give up having children and a family while pursuing a career…but having a supportive partner helps a lot. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was fortunate to have a husband who recognized her talents and was not afraid to put her career ahead of his. His sense of humor balanced her seriousness, and his willingness to assume many of the household and parenting duties while she worked late, clearly contributed to her success. Today, we probably know several working women with supportive partners but, sadly, it’s not a reality for everyone.
- Ruth Bader Ginsburg embodies the collective wisdom about healthy aging. At 85, she is still going strong—staying active and engaged. She has survived two bouts of cancer, works out regularly with a personal trainer, and still has an incredible work ethic, often spending late nights reading and writing. I was back in the gym the next day after seeing the movie!
Today’s political environment is very divisive, and the societal issues facing us are extremely polarizing. Yet, in the midst of the political fray, it’s refreshing to see someone who inspires and enlightens us with her intelligence, persistence, and steady dedication to the better nature in all of us.
