Kyria's Gifted for Leadership

Comments

When people speak about woman being leaders they emphasize the good qualities a woman would bring to a leadership position. I think they do this out of sincerity. However they present a stereotype of women. Usually it goes something like this: woman are more feeling they don't lead by force but rather they are more personal and attuned to the people they are leading. I always shudder when people do this because I'm not one of those feeling types. I'd be categorized as more "male" in my leadership style. I know these people mean well when they do this, they want to exult woman and express that they belong there on their own terms not on masculine terms. But in doing so they do real harm to those of us who don't fit into that stereotype. People begin to believe that's how a woman should lead and expect that. Their argument for unique qualities woman can bring to leadership may have gained acceptance for some woman in leadership and maybe even for most but not for all woman. They've made it harder for some of us.

Posted By: Julie | November 27, 2007 11:03 PM

Maybe I'm naive, but I just don't see women political leaders leading any differently than male leaders do. I think the leadership style will vary from person to person. Overall, politics is politics, and there are ways things are done and people playing the game have to play by the already established rules.

Anyway, I personally don't care if a candidate is male or female. I care where they stand on the issues. To me, this is progress.

Posted By: Patricia | November 29, 2007 9:39 AM

I agree with Julie. Too many people use stereotypes of women and men to judge each other. The truth is that there are many different styles of leadership that transcends gender. We should look at each person individually and not focus on gender.

Posted By: Sarah | November 29, 2007 11:54 AM

I think an important issue has been brought to the surface, particularly one that we as Christian women should prayerfully consider. That is, what do we bring to the table as women? What are our unique gifts and how should we use them to lead as women, without having to take on a masculine persona in order to be heard, accepted and/or have influence? And, what if taking on this masculine persona should threaten this freedom that we now have as women? Where would we be? It's almost unthinkable.

While I do agree that "politics is politics" and politicians will do what they have to to get what they want, I also believe that if we continue to de-value (or trade in) the unique gift of being a woman leader with influence and pursue a particular style that is more masculine only, we do a dis-service to the great women of the Bible like Deborah who have set the standard for how women should lead (even a nation); she was both a mother and a judge to Israel. The personal "feely" qualities of the woman should also be part of our style and not looked at negatively. We should never forget that God made us and called us "woman", not "man", for a specific purpose. Thus, when we shun that role and covet the qualities or try to usurp the authority or position of the man, we are making a statement to God that we are discontent with the way He made us. It seems to me that the key to being successful in leadership as a woman is understanding and embracing our Godly position and utilizing all the gifts that He has given us to fulfill our role.

Now back to the matter ... I gladly look forward to a woman leader as there is much that can be learned from either gender. I suspect the fear is that a woman leader will mess up the nation, but that all depends on what is important ... economics, foreign relations, morals, etc. On either front, we have seen failure by all of our previous leaders. I'm reminded that the powers that be are ordained by God; thus, whomever God would allow to lead us, we have a responsibility to pray for them in obedience to the Lord.

Posted By: Aileen | November 29, 2007 2:10 PM

I believe that there are many women that have proven the success that women can show in leadership. Women such as Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meier, Indira Gandhi just to name a few, have shown how that they can be successful leading nations. I believe it is the nature of women to build relationships and friendships and after building trust with others to move in tandem with groups or nations of people in addressing issues that need to be resolved nationally and internationally. I have stated many times that I am not naive enough to believe that free nations do not need to maintain a strong military. History proves that tyrants or dictators will always try to arise, but building trust and relationships goes a long ways towards nations working together in a positive way to help promote peace and resolve problems anywhere in the world. I certainly believe women have proven themselves to be capable leaders in the past and should Jesus tarry His coming, will continue to in the future.

Posted By: Deborah Solomon | November 30, 2007 10:51 AM

I too believe that stereotypes have no place in politics. I believe a woman can be just as good a leader as a man. However, to vote for a woman just because she is one who made it to the ballot would do a disservice to our gender as a whole. I will vote for a candidate who best exemplifies my religious beliefs regardless of gender. To do otherwise could be disastrous.

Posted By: Holly Murphy | December 14, 2007 10:42 AM

When I look at Hillary Clinton, I would never vote for her, or probably no woman president. I do not think it is a woman's position. When I think of Hillary I want to cry for the entire country "woe is me!" Because I see Sodom and Gormorrah all over again,,,history repeating itself,,,and I shudder.

Posted By: tenderluvncareplz | January 1, 2008 5:27 PM

Well, I’m assuming that “tenderluvnvarepllz” is a woman or at least I hope so. It’s the first comment by the so-called Christian women on this commentary that supports the core of Christian values.

My Mother took issue when another woman in our Church asked her to omit the part of the reading where the Bible states, “Wives submit to their husbands.” Remember the other prophecy in the Bible where seven women will take hold of one man and tell him they have their own clothes and bread. They just want his to be called by his name for official purposes. If a wife should submit to her husband, what makes you think they should be President of the most powerful country in the world? If they put their mind to it, men could nurse maid children with a bottle. They could knit, sew, clean the house, take care of sick children etc. Women can hold executive positions in major corporations. These things have or will be proven, Other things that have been proven are one person can murder another. A man can rape a woman. One person can steal from another. People CAN do those things also. Does that mean that they should do those things--because they can? Or, should they obey the will of God. It’s right there in black and white. If you so-called modern Christian women still hold any obedience to God’s will, heed the points I’ve made. Or, you can choose to omit the parts of the Bible that don’t appeal to your relatively new found pride and egos. That’s what your mentor “Hilary” has done. Regardless of whether she calls herself Christian or not, her actions prove to be secular. Just look at her views on abortion.

The following two paragraphs by Aileen above, exemplifies my point.

Thus, when we shun that role and covet the qualities or try to usurp the authority or position of the man, we are making a statement to God that we are discontent with the way He made us. It seems to me that the key to being successful in leadership as a woman is understanding and embracing our Godly position and utilizing all the gifts that He has given us to fulfill our role.

Now back to the matter ... I gladly look forward to a woman leader as there is much that can be learned from either gender.

You can justify anything, Aileen, if you try hard enough. The scripture is there in black and white.
Do you suppose to re-write it to suit the”modern woman.” Use your leadership qualities to lead your children to their purposes. If your son(s) inherit qualities from you that you inherited from your father to lead, then that’s why you carried those qualities. The role of “Mother” is and should be recognized as the most important job in history. Throughout history, Mothers are responsible for producing the best world leaders and future Mothers. A Mother that nobody has heard of is as important as the President of the U.S.--if not more so-- in God’s eyes and those of their children. If people in the past have devalued a woman’s role as Mother in society, that’s their fault, not the fault of that sacred position. Ask Jesus about the esteem in which he held his Mother, Mary. Women don’t need to and should not assume traditionally male leadership roles to prove their abilities. In a way, it’s a lateral move, not a step up. Men and Women are of equal importance but directed to different roles by God. The reasons are obvious. They are not for individual pride and recognition. They are for the good of the Family (God’s priority) and the future of mankind.

Posted By: TcareB | May 19, 2008 11:35 PM

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