Vered’s Blog

This is a quote taken from ‘Enlightened Power’ with some of my remarks on what is being said.

“We need to emphasize the importance of enlarging our understanding of power beyond traditional forms of control to embrace a new type of power – one that is internally generated and derived from a way of being.

For today’s women leaders, focusing on being may present a considerable hurdle. Despite all the progress that has been made, succeeding in the workplace and the world still requires the donning of a suit of armor and a mask. As women leaders, we become accustomed to the tension between overcommitment and under support, as well as to the reality of being overlooked and underpaid. Not surprisingly, we become complaint – even from the corner office and other positions of power – hiding our true emotions, withholding our whole selves, and seeking to fit into systems that do not truly reflect our aspirations.

Today we are finally acknowledging and understanding the impact of that “self� sacrifice. What does it take for the individual to transcend obstacles and create personal expression of power and leadership? Skills, tactics, and a supportive work environment can all help. There is, however, no substitute for the power that comes from self-awareness and the ability to shift one’s context (and that of others) to achieve something new.

At a time when women leaders are struggling just to remain whole, creative, energized, and motivated in their organizations, a simple truth emerges: we must learn to lead ourselves before we can presume to lead others.�

I cannot agree less to the above words. However, one step is missing. The reason that we as women need to change our way of thinking about power is because we are still limited to our culture way of looking at power, which is from a men’s point of view. As long as we will be depended on our upbringing and educational conditions we will not be able to breakthrough our own mind’s limitations which makes us think as needing to put on that suit of armor and become as “strong� as men or as ‘wise’ as man.

We need a shift in consciousness that will allow us to see ourselves as we are – women! We need to educate ourselves in anew paradigm of values that focuses on the benefits and the advantages of being a women with all its power and wisdom. We need to chart a new way of thinking about power, leadership and success. These words have long been connected to men’s ability and we have bought to the concept of how it needs to look. It’s high time that we will define our own definitions of how it should look like and what we should do with it.

This is what I call creating a new consciousness for women – this is the change we need to lead!

Have a great day!