QuoteProject
Had I faltered we would have neither the success nor the international reputation we have. Yet when a woman is strong she is strident. If a man is strong, he's a good guy.
Margaret Thatcher
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the double standards surrounding strength in men and women. It suggests that a woman's strength is often perceived negatively, while a man's is viewed positively.

Margaret Thatcher reflects on the societal perceptions of strength and leadership qualities in men and women. She argues that when a woman demonstrates strength, she is often labeled as strident or aggressive, whereas a strong man is celebrated as a good leader. This quote points to the inherent biases in how society evaluates the traits of men and women in positions of authority, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing strong women leaders.

Themes

StrengthLeadershipGenderPerceptionSuccess

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about gender equality in the workplace.

More from Margaret Thatcher

When will Labour learn that you cannot build Jerusalem in Brussels.
Margaret ThatcherRead
Never in the history of human credit has so much been owed.
Margaret ThatcherRead
The battle for women's rights has been largely won.
Margaret ThatcherRead
Ought we not to ask the media to agree among themselves a voluntary code of conduct, under which they would not say or show anything which could assist the terrorists' morale or their cause while the hijack lasted.
Margaret ThatcherRead
Israel must never be expected to jeopardize her security: if she was ever foolish enough to do so, and then suffered for it, the backlash against both honest brokers and Palestinians would be immense - 'land for peace' must also bring peace.
Margaret ThatcherRead
If it's me against 48, I feel sorry for the 48.
Margaret ThatcherRead

Similar quotes

I tell my staff, 'Give me your best, and then go home and live your life.' I've never asked anyone to work harder, but I've told plenty that they needed rest.
Brunello CucinelliRead
In other words, don't expect to always be great. Disappointments, failures and setbacks are a normal part of the lifecycle of a unit or a company and what the leader has to do is constantly be up and say 'we have a problem, let's go and get it'.
Colin PowellRead
He [President Franklin D. Roosevelt] died in harness, and we may well say in battle harness, like his soldiers, sailors and airmen who died side by side with ours and carrying out their tasks to the end all over the world. What an enviable death was his.
Winston ChurchillRead
Any committee is only as good as the most knowledgeable, determined and vigorous person on it. There must be somebody who provides the flame.
Lady Bird JohnsonRead
I think we are afraid to take up space. We are afraid to be amazing. As soon as that fear leaves us and we start building that confidence of being unapologetic about being great, then i think we can get into that space of having a lot of women leaders who are just fearless.
Zozibini TunziRead
O Captain! My Captain! our fearful trip is done.
Walt WhitmanRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.