Women in Power
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007I was in transit yesterday in the British Airways lounge at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport going to New York from Hong Kong. There was a news station on the TV, CNN I believe, and they were discussing the similarities between the newly elected president of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and the democratic candidate for the US presidency, Hillary Clinton. Cristina was described as an influential leader and a “babe” in the same sentence. The male commentators were then comparing her to Hillary, not as two powerful world leaders, but about if Hillary will follow the example of Cristina and take a more feminine personality in public. The shot on the TV then went to Hillary in a pink suit with oversized accessories making a speech. Of course, there was no commentary on what the speech was about or any updates on where the candidate stood and what she would do to better our country.
The male commentators went on to discuss if the American population can handle having a leader who is not only smart, but also feminine as many men are often intimidated by the combination. The second commentator went on to give a quick remark that he and his colleague obviously know different people, implying that he indeed knows men intrigued and not intimidated by powerful women.
I’ve often asked myself if men react differently to women just because they may hold a power position in the working world. Of course, in business settings, many act to women as they would to men, but I have seen my fair share react differently to women who are, well, babes, or not. However, I thought, or at least hoped, that when it comes to the topic of world political leaders and our future we could see past this - I guess I was being too optimistic and progressive for American news standards.
So, fellas, you tell me: do powerful women, who happen to be pretty, intimidate you? When looking at our presidential election, can you vote for the best brains for the job or is it a battle of the sexes first? Ladies, your thoughts on a women leader and/or women in business? Please let me know your experiences in the business world as well. Are those of you in executive positions treated differently in the office or at power lunches because you are a woman? Men and women alike, share your stories please - now is not the time to be shy!
-Alex Young, associate publisher and vice president
