On some days the world seems to be spiraling out of control. It complicated and full of risks I admit I don't fully understand. I think most of all WAR is difficult for me to understand and even the best of men seem to see war as the solution to bringing about peace and harmony in the world.
Would women leaders go about things differently?
I think we would. Eleanor Roosevelt demonstrated different view...
"I can not believe that war is the best solution.
No one won the last war, and no one will win the next war. "
According to Helen Fisher, Research Professor and member of the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies in the Department of Anthropology at Rutgers University and noted author of The First Sex: The Natural Talents of Women and How They are Changing the World, men approach things very differently:
"Men tend to place to place themselves in a hierarchy; then they jockey for position. Men are more wiling to endure exhausting workloads to attain rank. They more regularly sacrifice this health, safety and precious time with family and friends to win status, money and prestige. Men and women exhibit no difference in what psychologists call "internal competitiveness," the desire to meet personal goals and display excellence. But men score much higher in "external competitiveness," the willingness to elbow others aside to get ahead.
Women are, on average, more interested in cooperation, harmony, and connections---a network of support. Women cast themselves in a web of friendships; they make lateral contacts with others, and they form cliques. Then women work to keep these ties intact. Women can be determined and clever at climbing the social or corporate ladder. But when they do achieve high rank, they more regularly downplay their authority. Fewer women are interested in power for power's sake."
Hmmmm! These differences seem to offer new hope for our troubled world. Helen Fisher notes: "...leaders like Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher illustrate that women can be as decisive and tough-minded as men. However, most women in power will probably be less likely than men to resort to military action to settle disputes. They may be more inclined to agree with Winston Churchill. Once in a conciliatory mood he once said,
"To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war."
The door is open for women. This is a time in history that offers us opportunities to use our innate feminine ways for healing and reconciliation. It can start in our own neighborhoods and reach out around the world, leaving its healing influence to bring harmony and peace to the world.
What contribution will you make?
What's your opinion?
Debbe
Home of Women in the Lead
www.globaldialoguecenter.com/women
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
Twitter @debbekennedy
We invite you to enjoy an exclusive informal 3-part audio interview with Helen Fisher. Helen Fisher joined Maureen Simon of Maureen Simon Consulting and Debbe Kennedy, Founder, Global Dialogue Center, home Women in the LEAD for a intimate talk about the emerging leadership roles for women and women’s impact on 21st century business, sex and family life ... and more.
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