To Stand Behind the Spotlight

The delicate, nurturing and sensitive nature of a woman allows her to create an environment of peace and harmony wherever she goes. Even in the professional world, you find in her a far greater readiness to share the credit of success with others

I invited a new mother to model in the fashion show during our previous International Women’s Conference held in 2020. Her beauty and radiance should get some spotlight, I thought. The young woman had taken a break from her work to fully attend to her motherly duties. During our conversation, I suggested that she could let her two-year-old son accompany her on the ramp. The mother’s eyes lit up at the mention of her son. “Can he be the model and I will help him from behind?” she asked.

The brief chat got me thinking about this habit of women pushing others forward and staying away from the limelight. In an era of pomp and show, this could be construed as a sign of weakness. But if you think about it, it may also be a reflection of the deep confidence that doesn’t seek attention.

Like flowers in the forest that go unnoticed, some women outshine themselves in doing what they do and being who they are, not for recognition but as a result of their innate nature. The contentment and happiness they carry in their lives spread to their families, social circles and communities. This is especially true of rural women. They are comfortable being behind the scenes. I have seen them focus more on getting things done and helping others become the best they can. This ability to make a difference quietly and with humility is something that women and men in the cities can learn from village women.

Good leadership is not about occupying platforms where one can be seen and known. It is often found in quiet places where a leader is secure enough in who they are and comfortable enough with themselves. Such a powerful space emerges when one finds a balance in the qualities that complete the circle of life - passion, dispassion, and compassion. This balance comes easily to women in all their roles, as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, leader, mentor, teacher and more.

The delicate, nurturing and sensitive nature of a woman allows her to create an environment of peace and harmony wherever she goes. Even in the professional world, you find in her a far greater readiness to share the credit of success with others. Often we hear comments like, “it was a team effort” or “it was just a small piece of work” when a woman is praised for an achievement. The passion for goals, dispassion for recognition and compassion for those around, are the hallmarks of great leadership which serves the highest good.

These feminine virtues are not the preorgative of one gender. They can be nurtured by men and women alike to make a positive influence on our world and make the circle of life magnificent and colourful. This inner journey from the head to the heart is the most potent catalyst to transform our outer world from conflict to peace, from competition to collaboration, and from greed to generosity.