Taraji P. Henson - H 2015
Getty ImagesA version of this story first appeared in the 2015 Women in Entertainment issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.
“Projecting confidence even when there’s not much to be confident about.”
— Nancy Dubuc (President and CEO, A+E Television Networks)
“Being selfish. Which sounds like an insult, but I absolutely do not mean it that way. I envy men this quality.”
— Kristine Belson (President, Sony Pictures Animation)
“Silencing people with condescending assumptions.”
— Lena Dunham (Co-creator and co-executive producer, Girls; Co-founder, Lenny)
“Complaining.” — Taraji P. Henson (Actress, Empire)
“Chutzpah. I am always amazed how many women will not pursue new opportunities if they have doubts about checking every box in a job description. Many men will aggressively go after possibilities if they have only some of what is required, assuming they will learn the rest.”
— Paula Kerger (President and CEO, PBS)
“Asking for what they deserve. A lot of women — even at the top of their careers — still fight the urge to apologize for their success, or they feel guilty asking for what they’ve earned.”
— Pamela Levine (CMO, HBO)
“Taking individual credit for team efforts.”
— Gale Anne Hurd (Executive producer, The Walking Dead)
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“Opening jars.”
— Jenni Konner (Co-creator and co-executive producer, Girls; Co-founder, Lenny)
“Peeing standing up. Growing beards.”
— Jenji Kohan (Showrunner, Orange Is the New Black)
“Are you kidding? Because … no, seriously. YOU ARE KIDDING ME?”
— Shonda Rhimes (Executive producer, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How to Get Away With Murder)
