Chicks Rule the Roost: The Power of Women

Now that an entire generation has plowed through the wake of Gloria Steinem, what does it mean to be a powerful woman? It all depends on your perspective...

Too often we assume “power” means being a CEO or politician or having some other outwardly position of control, but it’s important to acknowledge that there are two kinds of power, and it is the same for men and women. We shouldn’t put women in a different “power” category. There is an Internal Power and an External Power and it’s when these powers are balanced that you see a truly powerful greatness in a person.

The Internal Power is the only one that you have control over and it’s the most important. It’s the internal thought process that comes from being observant, logical and reflective. This power gives you a calm confidence and pride, whether you are rich or poor, black or white, red or blue, woman or man. It’s formed by how you react to life events and the perception you have of yourself when challenged by the barriers put in your way.

I know many “powerful” women who are stay-at-home moms. To the outside world, they have no power, but to the world around them, they are positive life changing women. They embrace their situation and have come to terms with it, even if they intend to make a change in the future. These are the people who will shape our world for the better, and in my opinion, are the most powerful people in the world.

The External Power is the symbolic position in the world. These are the CEOs, corporate presidents, captains on commercial airliners, etc. It’s what the world judges “power” on, but too often we see leaders who have external power with no internal power. Business intelligence without emotional intelligence. Manipulation vs guidance. Since they are in the position to affect others, they leave a path of destruction and hold power from the fear. They are “powerful”, but it is meaningless because they step on others to rise above. They believe in their illusion that they are taller by standing on others, but the reality is that they fall that much further.

With that in mind, a powerful woman is someone who can find their happiness and be proud of their accomplishments, no matter how great or small. A powerful woman is proud that she is raising a family, or running a new IT company, or both…or neither. It can be anything, as long as they own their own life. The power is in the perception.

From the front desk of a small FBO to the captain's seat of a commercial airliner, Erika has experienced everything that life has to offer. She is the author of A CHICK IN THE COCKPIT  and her articles can be found at Plane & Pilot, Flying.com, Disciples of Flight, NYC Aviation, Mentor, Contrails, General Aviation News, Business Insider and Consumer Affairs. She can be reached here: Talk to me Goose