How would you feel at being described as “formidable”

[Saloop]

Positive or negative…?

I was described as formidable last week. It was a bit of gentle ribbing from a colleague I work well with, about qualities we both know are positive. I intend to cultivate that description now. I liked it. In your context OP, it sounds very positive.

I have been a few times and was delighted. Once was by ExMIL - she didn't mean it as a compliment, but I took it as one anyway.

I was pushed about and treated like shit for years by society at large and within family and romantic relationships. I worked hard on changing that; I am always treated with respect now, even by the local nutters. I know I'm not a tosser and treat people appropriately - I don't need to be liked, but I do expect to be treated properly. It's only people who lack that appropriate behaviour who have come across me being formidable, whether through rudeness, laziness or incompetence. They can fear or respect me - I don't care which, so long as they treat me better while they do it. I aimed for formidable, so it's always a pleasure when other's agree.

After you update a positive.

It’s usually meant in a good way. Competent, strong, gets it done, no problem to difficult to solve, widely respected, that sort of thing.

Pleased. I've been described as formidable at work before. I don't manage staff and have never been accused of being a bully.

Agree - I think it meant you are impressive and effective in that context.

I think in the context you’ve given it’s jokey/complimentary - they’re sort of saying you’ve got a big reputation as being very competent/on top of it etc. If somebody said it about someone else behind their back I’d presume they were a bit of a Miss Trunchbull type person, or an ‘I just say it as I see it’ type.

Totally this. Nice one op.

Definitely a positive. Can you give us more context (I saw the update). Just being a nosey cow.

No, when somebody wants a euphemism for a woman who behaves like a man, they use ‘forthright’, not ‘formidable’.

No, they don’t.

It would depend: I'd love it with the right emphasis, but used to describe a woman, it could be another version of the "Men are assertive; women are bossy" sexist rubbish.

I agree with this.

In a meeting setting I'd assume it meant "this woman knows her shit so don't try time wasting and game playing".

Therefore a compliment.

No, that’s a ball breaker.

I knew you'd be here 😂

I'd be ok, my teenager called me reckless once, I'm still dining out on that.

As this person didn't know you I think it was just casual and not a description of how they find your character.

I think the description can be useufl in some contexts, not in others. And I've then listened to the Julia Gillard speech, bravo lady! I don't know her or the person she's speaking against but how well put, and certaily formidable!

I’d be pretty chuffed, tbh.

This individual clearly knows of the OP. That’s not a bad thing in my book, it shows she’s well respected within the organisation. As I said, I would absolutely take it as a compliment and I would use it as one too.

Posh word for badass.

My senior manager is a formidable woman.

She's brilliant and I wouldn't want to be on her wrong side. Always informed, always ready to respond, never yields to unreasonable requests or bullshit from her peers/seniors, utterly unflappable as her public face, but honest with her team privately.

There are many teams who wish their manager could be as professional and supportive. Frankly I'd love to be more like her.

This is definitely a sign that you're well thought of in my book.

respected, very capable to an impressive level, which to some might be a bit overwhelming

The only person I know referred to as that is a permanently angry, unkind and bone fucking idle example of what happens when others are afraid to nip it in the bud when they first start throwing their weight around, ensuring that as many people as possible are in tears (their fault for being weak, apparently) or just generally pissed off at having to deal with them.

I’ve worked for someone who was often described in this way when people were being polite - behind closed doors she was known to be a horrible bully (note - not assertive, confident or strong or any other positive attribute). It depends on the context - if you’re self-aware you’ll know what side you fall on.

Did they say it with a French accent?

😂😂