I'm a big believer in owning your power. I also believe the hallmark of success is the judicious use of power...and a good education! 

That’s why I freaked a few weeks ago when I heard a young woman discussing a report indicating that among big companies, those with the most women in the top positions make the most profits. She was crediting this success to the women, suggesting women are much more skilled at leading companies than men. Well, they might be, but that was not the true message for this discussion.

The fact is these big companies that have done so well with more women in top leadership positions, probably still have more men at the top than women. The issue is not gender...it is diversity.

No one spends her life empowering women more than me -- starting in the home and stretching across North America, and the world for that matter. And women often do not realize what great leaders they are, so lets' hear it for women and leadership. (By the way, can we get rid of the phrase “women leaders?” What does that mean? Men are leaders and women are women leaders? Let’s not go there!)

The point I’m making is that all women at the top of an organization may not be better than all men. Okay, we could try a few generations of women running everything in the world, and I could live with that. But I do not believe, in the long run, it would make the world a much better place than what we have had for centuries, with mostly men in the top positions.

Human beings (that includes both men and women) started out in groups, in tribes, and eventually
gathered in villages. We all relied on one another, and we still do.  Any group is made stronger by the differing strengths of the members. One person's contribution is another's support.

If we want success in our new global community we need to think about differing learning histories…how we have been affected by stereotypes, cultural expectations, opportunity or lack of it, and our individual experiences. Gender is one way to increase diversity, but there are many others.

It is the strength of diversity that sets us up to benefit from better decisions -- decisions that reflect all aspects of a problem, not just one group's ideas, experiences, or expectations. No one knows what they don't know.

So, it is not just women who do great in business. Men do too, and we should make a place for them! 

The last thing I want to see is a world run by women that is just as exclusive, and therefore weakened, I might add, as the one run by men.

Now let's be clear here: I do not want my words to be interpreted that women should stand aside for men. Stand aside for no man...or woman! The most successful people are usually the ones who are the most tenacious and just don't quit.

So, don't take things personally. Hang in there. Be authentic to who you are and forget 'perfect,' 'balanced,' or anything else our sexist culture says you should be.

Own your power, but use your power to create opportunity for all people.

The combination of opportunity and diversity helps create the  tight, strong, and powerful webs it takes to make a family, company, country, or the world succeed.

This is the model practiced by great leaders...at work and in the home.

Learn more about me at www.teenacahill.com. If you'd like to hear my Internet radio show, click here!                                         

This information is for educational and informational use only, and is not meant as a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Always seek the advice of a psychologist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a mental problem or disorder, or medical condition.