I am referring to the stark reality that a lot more
women must, should and will eventually participate much more in the leadership
of this planet for a considerably better and safer future for all of us. Women
must, should and will eventually become a much bigger and even more important part
in the positive development of all of our lives; I fully believe that.
Through too many centuries, the male dominated leadership,
has in retrospect (which I’m damn good at) not achieved full potential. To me, leadership
based on equal mix of females and males working hand in hand, will achieve this
glorious potential. The good news is that this equalization has already
started, yes slowly, but picking up speed - and that is a fantastic reality;
don’t you think?
Talking about stark realities is the sad and
horrific fact concerning the suppression of the female gender through thousands
of years. Even today women are being suppressed in many cultures around the
world. Besides many pathetic reasons and excuses, cultural and/or religious
‘traditions’, this repression is denying these cultures and countries of a more
enlightened and true progress – and that is a sad shame, because when women are
involved, things do move along, a lot faster, a lot better and for the most
part in a lesser-to-none violent manner. The good news is that things are
getting better and better every day – more women are getting more involved.
In 2011 Helle Thorning-Schmidt became the first
female Prime Minister of Denmark; good for Helle and good for Denmark. But more
interestingly, of the 179 Danish Parliament members, 65 or so, are women. How
are we doing in the house and senate here in the USA? In Denmark, as with the
other European countries, the involvement of women in leadership roles, in
government and in the private sector, is constantly increasing – and that can
only be good; don’t you think?
Roberta Pinotti was named Italy’s first female
Defense Minister, making her one of five women leaders of military in Europe; I
feel safer already. Chancellor Angela Merkel is in charge of Germany. Sheryl Sandberg
is one of the top people with Facebook. Hillary Clinton’s political exposure
and influence is far from over – with much more to come; Janet Yellen is the
new Federal Chief with a rather large economy (USA) to control and guide. Yes,
she is the first woman to chair since the Federal Reserve was established in
1913 – way to go Janet. Yahoo’s CEO Marissa Mayer is not doing too badly; and I
could easily go on with this list. More and more women are coming up through
the ranks, getting involved and even more so, starting to be respected by everybody,
not just by the male gender, but by all of us.
Another positive sign concerning female involvement
is that slightly more women than men are getting a higher education here in the
USA. No, Dear Readers, it’s not a gender contest, just a fact stating that
things are moving in the right direction towards equality by having more women moving
up and into leadership roles.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not looking for a world run
by females only; I am solely acknowledging that with a much more equal balance
of women and men on all levels, we combine all the great stuff, talents,
intellect, creative ideas we can ALL contribute – on ALL levels and by both
genders - together. Working organized across gender lines, accepting and
respecting each other in the name of progress and the pursuit of happiness (and
peace on Earth, huh?) will succeed – I am truly convinced of that.
The very first person we hang onto is a woman (that
would be the mother person) and she is the very first person we are seriously
influenced by, not just for survival, but for comfort, love and security. So
why not continue that trend? (Except for the breastfeeding, as that might turn really
awkward). For the most part we progressed from this nurturing beginning and for
most of us, it made our life-foundation a solid platform from where we
developed (thanks, Mom)… Something we rarely think about.
Who has been or who is the most important woman in your
life? Asking me, I can’t give a simple answer because it’s not just one woman,
no matter how much I want to say: ‘MOM’. But what I can say is that my Mother
has been a proverbial rock for me; she still is – her dementia not getting in
the way. She has always been a fantastic and supportive friend.
Another woman who has influenced me (and still does)
is my wife and very best friend ever – going on 31 years. Too many things of acknowledgement,
so let me highlight one of the more important aspects of our relationship: My
wife brings out the very best in me, of who I am. That is a very freeing
feeling that makes me progress in a much more solid way, both feet on the
ground, which of course also reflects on our relationship – why we are very
compatible.
When we look at women’s influence on our everyday
life, women’s participation in all the facets of making this globe function, we
can only agree that it is so awesome – it really is, especially when we look
back and acknowledge the many women of the past who carved the way for today’s women
– actually for all of us, really.
Envy and jealousy are unfortunately parts of who we
are. That be between genders as well as it is between men and between women. As
this (soon former?) male-dominated world is equaled out with higher participation
of women, envy and jealousy will still continue, as men will feel threatened in
the positions they have had for so long. But I am convinced that with time, we
will ALL acknowledge and respect that a positive reality of a more equal mix of
genders will profit ALL of us.
As I started my ‘career’, I was for the most part
influenced by women. When I moved on and into management, I surrounded myself
with female employees. Not just because I worked in the women’s fashion
business, which even in Denmark (1960-70) was dominated by males. I always felt
very comfortable working with women; I always found it easier and more
effective, even in the high energy business we were in.
Back then I didn’t really ‘dissect’ the ‘WHY?’ but
now in retrospect I realize that the ‘softer’ approach, not weaker to any
extent, was where I functioned much better.
One of my bosses back then was a real bitch –
seriously. She pushed everybody around, males as well as females. When she
entered your office, you wanted to hide under the desk, or react even more
maturely by covering your eyes so she couldn’t see you (well, it used to work).
But the thing is that I really respected her in spite of her bitchiness, as she
surely got things moving along – and fast.
One day she raced into my office and announced that
she was coming with me to Paris, as I was leaving that evening. I nearly had to
change my undergarments, but off we went. So the strangest thing happened that
from the second we got in the car and drove to the airport, she was the most
charming, relaxed and fun person.
Our week in Paris was very productive and I was in
awe of her communication skills with our suppliers and her overall (new?) demeanor.
When we returned to Copenhagen and work, off she went being a bitch again. But during
a meeting the day after, she winked at me, and all of a sudden I realized it
was just a part she played – so effectively.
Why this story? My male chauvinistic thoughts (yes,
I had some of those back then) before I found out her well-kept secret were
that I saw her as an abusive woman, rude, intimidating, threatening and
bitchy (duh); more interestingly, I blamed her of trying so desperately to
imitate a male equal.
But today I realize that she was who she was, man or women
– no difference. It was my ‘male’ side who judged her wrongly, where I should
have embraced and respected how well she was doing her job. Sure, nobody liked
her (except me after Paris), but I do recall that besides being feared, she was
secretly respected by all, though nobody would share that thought out loud; she
certainly left a lasting impression on me.
Envy and jealousy will persist – unfortunately, but
the closer we get to full gender equality in any workplace and in any government,
the better it will be for all of us – I have no doubts about that. I am extremely encouraged
by where we are today, and look forward to an even greater and no doubt more
peaceful future as more women are getting involved; an equality we’ll ALL profit
from – don’t you agree?
