Claiming Your Power!

On a political roundtable news show Sunday morning, the pundits were discussing the female vote. Carly Fiorina, a business executive and past CEO  of Hewlett-Packard urged politicians on both sides to view the feminine  voter as a whole entity, not just one concerned  with reproductive rights.  This demographic makes up over half of the population of the United States and as a member, I must say…we are much more than our vaginas!  Interest and concern for the economy, jobs, foreign policy, etc. occupy womens’ minds as well as their counterparts.

No matter how I feel regarding our right to choose, and how shocked I am that we seem to be moving backwards in regards to women’s health and reproductive issues, I will not use this as a soap box. Rather, I would like to explore our hesitation as women to become involved in utilizing our power, initiating change and beyond that, why do we have so few who run for office? Even if one is not politically inclined, most of us hesitate to take a stand in areas that affect ourselves ,our families and children such as education, health care reform, GMOs and other FDA rulings, child abuse, etc.  There seems to be a reticence to become engaged in issues that have a direct impact on our lives. Are we afraid to accept our own power? Are we buying into society’s role model for us or do we simply think the issues are too big for us to tackle?

In a recent discussion group of women, the subject of “owning your own power” was the topic. One of the members said that power scared her, she equated it to force and dominance.  We went on to talk about  how society has defined it through patriarchal examples. Eventually we described power as quiet strength. When I brought up the example of a single mother providing for her family and raising her children as a pantheon of power, the woman smiled and said, “I always thought it was a masculine trait.” Women access their power with stoic potency and determination. They do not have to show brawn or pee over territory to claim their position. They do it through intention, collaboration and action.

In a 2008 study by the US based Pew Research Center found that public perceptions of women leaders were much more favorable to men in key leadership traits. Respondents (over 2,500) said that women were more compassionate, honest and creative than men. In policy matters they were “widely judged to be better than men at dealing with social issues such as health care and education” and in job performance skills women received higher marks when measured for “standing up for one’s principles in the face of political pressure; being able to work out compromises; keeping government honest and representing the interests of “people like you.”

In the eight leadership traits deemed most important by respondents, women were judged to have greater capacities in five (intelligence, honesty, outgoingness, compassion and creativity). In two traits (work ethic and ambition) men and women were judged equal and in just one trait (decisiveness) men came out ahead. I shared this study to set the record straight, we women have amazing leadership qualities, so let’s put those old cultural myths to bed and begin.

The first step it to stop viewing or acting like a victim. Most of us share the helpless feeling of facing big government and the seemingly daunting ability to initiate change . But it all begins with a single thought and we do have the power over our own mind. Altering your language to stop all limiting images and replacing them with positive affirmations regarding the issue is imperative. If you feel passionate about a subject, start a Meet-Up group and connect with others who feel the same way. There is power in numbers in terms of gathering similar energy and moving forwards with change. Use the creative input and strength from the like-minded people you have brought together to research, plan and develop an action plan to move your agenda forwards and be heard. Determine which agencies, news outlets, social media sites and political leaders should be contacted to take your cause from an  idea to a place of action and change. Once you have the intention, anything is possible.

Like the WWII icon Rosie the Riviter says, “We Can Do It.” Start with the belief, form a group, develop a plan, become involved  locally and initiate change. Who knows…you just may be running for office in the next election.

 

Becky Arrington guides individuals and businesses to discover their purpose and live authentically. Whether you’re a company looking for innovative ways to lead and engage employees or an individual trying to prioritize, reduce stress or decide what you want to be when you grow up, learning to accept and thrive in change is key. Becky is a Change Consultant and Business Intutive working with individuals and organizations.