'Testicular fortitude' does not entitleyou to leadership

By Jaevion Nelson

Who in their right mind, in 2014 at that, would think men are 'natural' leaders and that the mere 'privilege' - for it must be that - of being born with a phallus automatically makes you a leader? To think that one could be so audacious to justify their sexism and chauvinism as an ordinance of a god is unsettling.

I suppose I and other males who do not subscribe to such medieval pigheaded backwardness should feel emasculated for daring to think the females in our company, in our homes, schools, churches, communities and workplaces are equal and do have the capacity to lead, if they are so qualified and interested.

Like many of my colleagues on social media, I was outraged and overcome with a tsunami of emotions on Sunday, March 30, 2014, when I read Milton Wray's commentary titled 'Are women natural leaders?' in this paper. I was gobsmacked by the arguments he advanced in an attempt to join the debate around quotas that advance gender equality in respect of women. Gender equality is extremely important; likewise creating opportunities to advance women's participation in political leadership and decision making. I am not, however, convinced by some of the arguments used by my esteemed colleagues, particularly the one about 51 per cent of the population being female and that a mandatory quota of 40 per cent should be introduced. The argument is woefully inept to persuade people on and over the fence to support Senator Imani Duncan's very timely and important motion.

warped thinking

There is a warped thinking that women, feminists, human rights defenders and gender equality proponents rush to consider anyone who doesn't oblige their school of thought to be sexist. No, that's not true. It's okay if you want to disagree with quotas and rubbish it as foolish and unnecessary. But to suggest that a woman's role and place is limited to her home and to rear kids is something else.

Imagine your child's teacher telling them their sex determines their ability or empowers them to lead, to take control and assert their 'testicular fortitude'. This is where you kneel and pray to the east, thank God, if you are a male, for the phallus He blessed you with. If not just curse him for that damn thing that has subjugated you to a life of servitude. Such nonsense. I'm surprised no one, at least I have not heard of anyone, has gone as far as to suggest that there is a direct correlation between endowment and leadership prowess.

I know many people who are blinded by an individual's genitalia and thereby obfuscated about what leadership really is, because they limit themselves in thinking leadership is about power, control, and superiority. Yes, there are actually people who believe leadership finds the phallus endearing. Or is it the other way around? Whichever way it's ridiculous.

understanding leadership

Kevin Kruse, entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author and speaker, advises that "Leadership has nothing to do with seniority or one's [hierarchical] position; nothing to do with titles; nothing to do with personal attributes [and] isn't management." I sincerely hope this might help us understand that no one sex or gender (depending on our level of understanding of the two terms) predisposes us for leadership or greatness. Well, yes, it is possible, when you think of patriarchy and the social construct that subordinates one sex over the other. Notwithstanding, "Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximises the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal" (Kevin Kruse, 2013) not so much about, if any at all, your chromosomes and pendulum or lack thereof. Unless it is that you allow them to determine how you lead!

If we are honest with ourselves, we would realise we could really do with some more women in leadership, both in public and private sector. Quotas aren't necessarily the answer, it's more of a temporary affirmative action that will stimulate the necessary policy and legislative changes as well as engender a more diverse social milieu. I encourage all of us to apply the same level of scrutiny we have about women being leaders, political and otherwise, so we can hold men accountable for their actions.

I am forever grateful for the work of organisations such as 51% Coalition, but the current debate is perhaps evidence that we have a far way to go before the gangs and guards of leadership step aside and let women lead. 51% Coalition or like-minded organisations need to do a national campaign to enlighten us about gender equality, so men especially will feel less threatened, less 'emasculated' when there is an effort to raise the status of women.

Jaevion Nelson is a youth development, HIV and human rights advocate. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and jaevion@gmail.com.