Women, Power And Leadership

Peggy Orenstein noted in her book "School Girls.." that, although they may now have more role models for high achievement, and apparently fewer barriers to equality, girls are still part of a very hierarchical society.

Power is often seen as "who is higher up" - and for women, that has typically been males. Orenstein wrote, "It was clear that, regardless of race and class, [girls] had still learned to see boys as ultimately more powerful. Girls' diminished sense of self means that, often unconsciously, they take on a second-class, accommodating status."

Leadership is often seen - and sought - in a context of social control, and, perhaps because of that, many adult women may relate to power and leadership in compromised and conflicted ways, regardless of their true competence to lead.

Talent may be highly rewarded in some fields, such as entertainment, but it does not necessarily confer or assure personal control.

Artists and other gifted women may be susceptible to various constrictions and restrictions in realizing their talents.

As one example, singer Tori Amos at age five won a scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, but by age eleven she'd been kicked out for playing by ear.

Being creatively talented, especially when complemented by intellect, may often lead to wanting to be in charge.

Actor Christina Ricci acknowledged in an interview as a teen that she'd like more control: "I would love to come in and run a set, and deal with people and fix problems, because I think I'm pretty good at that. But I just sort of accept that the director is going to tell me to do things, and no matter if I like it or not, I have to do it."

Film director Allison Anders likes being in charge: "They say I'm the heartbeat of my film company, which I think is pretty cool. I feel women actually are far more suited to directing than men, because we're more oriented to synthesis; especially if you've been a mother: you have to do ten things at a time, and that's the kind of mindset you have to be in as a director."

But she also said that most women filmmakers she knows "who are really achieving some success, and have their own vision, are very lonely women, for the most part, personally. Because for one thing, we've never quite figured out how to abuse our power." (From personal interview.)

Michelle Pfeiffer talked about control in her life: "You literally have to make lists for yourself, and say these are the things I cannot change, so get over it; now these are the things I can change - terrific. I can't change that I have to travel in a very complicated way. I don't like a lot of people in my life making decisions.

"I know the business, but I can't do it all myself. But there are things I can change - I don't have to go to some dinner I don't want to go to, I don't have to go to some stupid party. I don't have to do this interview, really, if I don't want to." (From a Barbara Walters interview.)

Actress Natasha Richardson recognizes that control may be counterproductive for a performer: "I'm too critical of myself. I'm working on that because if you're too critical, it means you control things too much and that's not interesting. I've been working in the past couple of years on just doing it, not trying to come down so hard on myself when it doesn't happen the way I want it to happen." (Movieline magazine interview.)

Geena Davis noted she tends to choose roles "based on women who make their own decisions... The women I play do not have to be role models and they don't always have to make the right decisions... but they at least have to be captain of their own ship."

But the exercise of power in real life may present somewhat different issues for women than for men.

In an America Online conference, the late producer Dawn Steel was asked if she found it was harder to get along with female employees: "I think that women will take abuse from men bosses, and resent the mildest criticism from a woman."

As women-only colleges may help nourish talent expression, a predominantly female workplace may be a very different context for power.

Script and creativity consultant Viki King considers women-oriented film sets to have a very different feel than traditional male ones, "because it's in partnership, not in domination, not in competition."

But many women (and men, of course) find themselves in competitive workplaces, and have feelings and attitudes that may make it difficult for them to lead. Hopefully, more and more women will use power in partnership, and be effective and socially conscious leaders.