This interview with Marcia Reynolds about her new book Wander Woman, hit me with a mix of appreciation and sadness. Please watch the interview, read the rest of my comments, and then add your thoughts to the conversation. What's your take on the interview?
Marcia's observation of high performing women and her discussion of their challenges, frustrations, and ambitions parallel some my experiences with female executives. My deep appreciation for her comments is the manner in which she has truly drilled deep to get to the subtle nuances of the Wandering Woman condition. She paints an accurate picture as best I can tell for this stage of personal leadership development.
In particular, Marcia's concept of Wander Women wanting a knight instead of a king for a marriage partner intrigued me. I have to wonder, women who are reading this, do you agree?
My sadness with the interview (the book may provide further insights) was that Marcia is scratching the surface on vital women's issues such as identity, life balance, relationships, purpose, meaning, work, community, leadership, etc… yet there's an absence of inherent hope and joy in Marcia's underlying demeanor. Again, just one man's intuition here that something is missing. Is it the absence of a strong spiritual component that I sense? Is it a woman wandering in an unsettled way and striving to make rational peace with it rather than getting the matter resolved in her heart?
The Old Testament story of Moses and the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years comes to mind as I begin to grasp this concept. Let's hope that Marcia Reynolds will one day be able to write a sequel, The Promised Land Lady.
Wander women, I must ask you, is being a wandering woman what you want? Is this concept simply an unresolved justification for stopping short of really knowing who you are, why you are here, where you are going, and what's important along the way? Can high performing women be settled souls instead of wandering women?
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
Here is a related On-Purpose Minute that you might find helpful: How Do You Manage Disappointment?
