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As a girl-girl at

the business top

Dove encourages women to be proud of who they are. In their My Beauty My Say campaign, we let proud, strong women speak. This week it is Jacqueline Bosselaar (42), co-founder and owner of Het PR Bureau, Blyde and partner of Maak Amsterdam. She has been in The Next Women 100 three times, a list of the most influential and successful Dutch women, and in the top 25 of the most inspiring communication professionals.

Could you relate to it a bit?

“I have a girlish appearance, used to be completely so, narrow shoulders and a soft voice. That has long hindered my promotion from junior to senior, I am sure of that. People associate a girlish appearance with being vulnerable and vulnerable is quickly seen as weak. I was literally not seen as a heavyweight.”

Have you considered changing your appearance? Dressing less feminine, working on your voice?

“I didn’t think that was a good idea. Then I would drift away from who I was, because ultimately my appearance fits who I am. Now, years later, I know that my vulnerability is my strength. I am not a macho manager, I am not the one who talks the loudest at the table. I try to listen and because I don’t come across as threatening, I find it easier to bring people together, connect or come to a solution. Now my appearance actually fits my leadership style, but I really had to get over something to get this far. To show that there was more than the outside.”

What led to the turnaround?

“At some point, I started my own business. I actually didn’t have time to worry about how I came across to people. It challenged me to deliver even better work so that no one could ignore me. As a woman, it takes strength to not care about what others think of you. I had the courage to stay true to myself, to stand up for who I am. Even with this appearance, precisely with this appearance. You have to amplify what you have inside. In my case, that is an unparalleled passion for my work to inspire others with it. The funny thing is that my appearance used to hinder me, but now it actually reflects very well how I work.”