Patriarchy may help leaders to express authority

Do "women have a problem making friends with their own authority, their own ability to be in charge?" Kath Walters of Leading Company, an Australian newsletter for business executives, considers this question in her post, "Women have trouble making friends with their own authority". After referencing "Jennifer Garvey Berger, a coach and a senior facilitator with the Leadership Circle Asia Pacific" who "says that women have a problem making friends with their own authority, their own ability to be in charge," Walters writes:

The author Thomas Moore has a fascinating take on authority, and on patriarchy. In his book Care of the Soul (now stay with me here — I’m not going to go all ooga booga), Moore describes a true sense of authority as "the feeling that you are the author of your own life, that you are the head of the household in your own affairs." His rather radical view is that authority is the father aspect in all of us — men and women.

Moore’s take on patriarchy is also a challenge to the patriarchal politics: true patriarchy is an 'absolute, profound archetypal fatherhood', he writes. It is possible, in Moore’s view, for our social patriarchy to be like a benevolent father: providing a sense of direction, order, security, fairness, and a buttress of solid opinions and debate.”

Walters continues, "I mention these ideas because of Berger’s point that women are searching for new ways to interpret authority; they do exist." Read this post and the comments. Hamis Hill contributes, "With economics being derived from the ancient Greek word for household management, which in those days was the province of women, perhaps the template for strong women leaders has already been set."

Barque coverage:
Feb 14 2012 "We need a return of patriarchy in a deep sense"