Michael Mitchell: Archive

This is where femininity and masculinity collide. What the fuck is an "intimidating woman"?

None of these qualities are particularly feminine to me, and certainly not intimidating. The video's more about the psychological weight of being a leader, from a female perspective, than it is about being "intimidating" or perceived as better or superior by one's peers, male or female. It's the role model part, however, that gives her away, that proves she doesn't really understand what it's like to be the kind of person she's describing.

Regardless of the level of association or cooperation -- friends, family, work, community, state, foreign relations, any group or organization with shared goals -- most people would rather follow than lead, and most leaders are so efficacious they can't distinguish ineptitude from manipulation. Followers may fear their leader(s), may fear failure or disapproval, but they fear accepting the responsibility of leadership more. They don't want to emulate the "best". They want to do their part, fulfill a role. But if it's not clearly defined for them it leads to an inner struggle, between doing their best at what they can and not doing more than they know how, that's impossible to resolve, and leaders are rightfully blamed for it.

That's the "intimidation", in this context, viewed from the perspective of someone who does NOT use fear to control others. It's baffling, appears like people fear you for no good reason, because you're focused on merit and not status. People act differently depending on who's watching them, who's judging them, and you don't comprehend that because you don't mind being watched and judged. It's a self-defense mechanism that "intimidating" people don't need.