When my inbox is overflowing with replies to a blog post, I know I have tapped a nerve. Apparently the concept of “empowerment” is as highly charged for others as it is for me!

Here’s what other women and men have to say about empowering women.

“Loved this newsletter!  I think some women have an intense issue to be empowered...what they don’t realize is that they already HAVE all the power they need inside themselves. For me personally, I feel powerful in WHO I AM right now.

I do enjoy the ‘good job,’ ‘kudos!’ and ‘I'm proud of you!’ comments from those around me.  I think many woman confuse the desire for the ‘pat on the back’ with our power…I can give my position of power away, and someone else can GIVE me a higher position of power.  It is the give and take that is all within my OWN power to accept or decline! Thanks for a good read for giving me reason to pause and consider this today.”

Renee Russell

Heaven and Earth Music

“Point of View from a MAN…I think it is true both ways.  There are men that need that same kind of reassurance from a woman; seeking approval or asking to be ‘empowered’ by them… As an employer, we need to empower our employees, but as owners, I will leave that to the experts. My short answer…women should feel empowered from within. I liked your question! “

Richard Myers

President

Delta Leadership Incorporated

“The first thing I thought was, ‘I don’t need to BE empowered, I AM empowered.’ [Yet] Women here in the US are still at only about 70% of the salary range of an equally qualified male.  I would have thought by our generation this mentality would change.”

Angela K. White

President

Wave Technologies

Coptic Communications, Inc.

“The struggle for power is timeless. And, women and men certainly view their own power differently. I think this comes from where we as women draw our power versus men. Personally, I feel my power is drawn from my view of myself, I see myself as beautiful, smart, funny, intelligent and in control of my own destiny - all those things feed my power, my confidence and my ability to assert myself in a fair minded way, be it in business or in my personal life.

I'm sure there are women out there who try and ‘take’ power from the other people in the room. I know I've encountered a few overly competitive women who don't know how to work together. People like that are insecure - grasping at anyone they can take down to lift themselves up - at any way to make someone look bad so they look better, stronger, more powerful! But it's not real power. Women who are kind, smart, assertive, confident, generous, forgiving, but refuse to be walked over, ‘handled’ or subservient - those are the truly powerful women - like you and me!”

Felina Rivera-Brown

I love hearing your opinions!  Just email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .