Psychologist Christina Tracy-Stein: Make the world about relationships, not results

That women doubt themselves. Of course, the problem isn't unique to women, but for some reason, women harbor a particularly strong belief that they're not enough. We underestimate ourselves. Our sensitivity, social awareness, and empathy all mean that any critical feedback can deeply affect us. Instead of analyzing it, we immediately take it personally, as something that undermines our value. Running a business requires the courage to act as an individual. You have to make decisions in harmony with yourself and believe in them, even if they don't receive immediate external recognition. This is a significant challenge, because if we don't have that inner certainty that what we're doing makes sense, any external "no" can stop us. That's why it's so important that this strength comes from within. Others can support us, praise us, inspire us, but nothing can replace the one, most important thing: belief in your own worth. Without it, it's difficult to move forward, and even harder to persevere.

Do you believe that, for example, in 10 years, women will be writing the rules of the new economy?

I believe that women will have an increasingly greater influence on the future economy, and I'm very hopeful about that. I hope that in ten years, we'll see a world where more decisions are based on collaboration, empathy, and mutual listening. On relationships, not just results. On the question of how can I serve, not how can I win. At the same time, I believe it's not about replacing one pendulum with another. If we overly reject masculine energy, the one focused on action, structure, and specificity, we'll simply find ourselves in a different set of problems. Each of us has both these energies within us, masculine and feminine. And the real art is knowing how to balance them. I believe that a future worth building isn't based on an economy of competition, but on an economy of balance, one that values diverse styles and allows us to work together from different perspectives. It's about the win-win principle, or win-win.

You came to Poland at the invitation of the Polish Women Chamber of Commerce – the first chamber of commerce in Europe dedicated to female entrepreneurs. What message did you prepare for them?

I told them: try it. Take just one step, let it be small, tentative, but your own. Only in action do we truly begin to see who we are and the power we possess. Each of us has a gift within us: talent, experience, value we can bring to the lives of others. Often, we don't see this gift until we begin to share it. Only when we offer something of ourselves to the world—time, attention, ideas, support—do we begin to recognize our greatness. There's no point waiting for the perfect moment. Don't wait for someone to give you permission. Do something, anything, and let that first step open your eyes to how great you truly are.

Do you think Polish businesswomen can also teach you something?

Of course. Women in Poland have enormous potential. I remember a few years ago, after an event, we were sitting over dinner and one of the women was talking about how difficult it was for her to fully spread her wings. She spoke of the internal struggle—on the one hand, she felt strength, light, and passion within herself, but on the other, she experienced enormous pressure not to shine too brightly. To not be "too big," "too visible," "too ambitious." It was deeply moving for me. Because I know it's not just her story. It's the story of many women who feel they have to conform, blend into the background, and not cross an invisible line. But at the same time, something is changing. In recent months, I've seen more and more Polish women stepping out of the shadows. Who say, "I have the right to be myself, I have the right to shine, I have the right to live fully." I see enthusiasm, joy, strength, energy. It's inspiring to witness this awakening and be able to be a part of it.

Women all over the world invite you, ask for your energy and support, and you're a speaker. How do you maintain your own balance?

I'm very careful about my balance and I'm truly consistent in this. My absolute priority is my family. My relationship with my husband, my bond with my children—that's my foundation. If something begins to wobble, if tension arises in these relationships, I immediately feel like I'm losing ground. That's why I never compromise in this area. I don't sacrifice my family for work, travel, or projects. If I want to be there for others, to support, inspire, and share energy, I first have to be rooted in what matters most. Only when I feel connected to those I love most do I have the strength to be there for others. And I know that this is my source. Not social media, not professional success, but this daily closeness with my family.