| Embracing Power: Coming to Terms with being a Powerful Woman |
 |
 |
 |
|
Strategic Communications maven Yvonne Johnston takes a look at how she deals with the title "powerful woman" and how she has come to understand where her real power lies and how she wants to use it. Powerful men are born leaders – powerful women are an anomaly – Margaret Attwood.
 Have we been brainwashed to think that? When you hear, “She is a powerful woman”, what do you think? Is it a positive or a negative label? I have had to deeply challenge that thought. I have often been referred to as a powerful person, yet, I have rejected that perception completely – my immediate connections with the word were: hard, calculating, egotistical, demanding. All things that I desperately didn’t want to be. I was in effect, constantly negating my power. So, what is power? Influence? Authority? Ability to act? All of the above. Titles Give Authority, but not Influence or Power I reject people who think that they are powerful because of their title. Titles give authority, but not influence or power. I especially reject people who use their title to abuse others, assuming they are important BECAUSE of their title. As I know only too well, titles are transient. “Positional power has run its race, done its time – it doesn’t work anymore. It is the mortal enemy of energy and motivation”, - Brand Pretorius. The Most Powerful Person I can Think of - Madiba... Who is the most powerful person I can think of? – This may be trite, but it is Madiba – what a lesson for us. Humility and gentleness is the source of his power. In the past eighteen months, having been fired from my high profile job as CEO of the International Marketing Council (Brand South Africa) – losing my title in the process - I have had to deal with loss of external power, and really come to terms with the acknowledgment of internal power, because, surprisingly to me at least, I haven’t felt less powerful because I am no longer in a perceived position of power. Perhaps the opposite. So, what is my definition of power now? Power is an Accumulation of Who You Are I have begun finally to realise that in essence, power is an accumulation of who you are, what you do and how you do things, how you engage with those around you and how authentic you are. It really is not about what is written on the business card that is important. I am finding that the gentler I am, the more powerful I feel. That the more centred I feel, the more success comes, and the less powerfully I behave, the more powerful I become. I have learned that in surrender, and with relinquished control, comes power. I have learned that it is easier to achieve your objectives if you are kind, caring and gentle. Power brings with it responsibility – to inspire, empower, serve, promote and to behave in a moral way. Sure, being authoritarian can get you to the top, but perhaps with a string of people behind you, wanting to sabotage your efforts. I would like to use my power to create significance, and make a difference in other people’s lives. I have come to terms with the fact, that yes indeed, I am a powerful woman. I am finally proud of that label. By Yvonne Johnston for Destiny Magazine. 10 December 2009. |