Issue 38 / Who Is The Alpha Female?

by Yvonne Sinniah

Who Is The Alpha Female?

Feb 22, 2016

What is the alpha female. And more importantly, are you one? Ladies, it's time to get into formation!

What do you picture when you hear the words alpha female? Is it the image of a bossy, type A, aggressive woman that most find hard to get along with? Or do you perhaps picture a strong, bold and beautiful woman who strives to accomplish her purpose and mission? I haven’t heard much about the alpha woman in the South Asian community but it is a phenomenon that is arising as the modern day woman achieves multiple roles in her personal and professional life.

Monika Sumra is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, conducting her doctoral research on how today's alpha woman constructs her identity, what behaviours shape her, how she dominates while simultaneously manages to coalesce with others in the boardroom, and beyond in her everyday life.

As more and more women take on senior management positions in the business world, a heightened awareness and understanding of alpha women and their influence as leaders has become increasingly necessary states Sumra. She is also particularly interested in the role that hormones and physiology may play. A greater understanding of today's socially dominant woman will contribute to a deeper understanding of how and why they attain success and life satisfaction. Her research and findings are underway and I’m excited to learn more about it.

In the meantime, having worked with strong females throughout my life, I have my own perspectives on who today’s alpha female is.

She challenges the status quo.

The alpha woman doesn’t just put up with things that don’t work for her and her pack. She is not afraid of conflict and voices her opinions when needed. Whether it be at home or the workplace, she is known to speak up for what she believes in and what is best for her team. Sharing her perspectives and opinions with her partner or in the boardroom is conducted willingly with assertiveness. She chooses her battles wisely however for the larger good. Alpha female: Taylor Swift and her battle with Apple Music about their no royalties to artists during their free three-month trial of Apple Play.

^{Taylor Swift surrounded by one of her squads.}
^{Photo Credit: thecelebrityauction.co}

She is a social influencer

The alpha female is not just a leader in the corporate environment but this extends into her social life where her social dominance prevails. Next time you are at a party and see a group of women, observe who most of the women are facing, usually their bodies and mannerisms mimic the alpha. The alpha female sets the tone for conversation and socialization in the group. Many times when the alpha leaves a group or room, there is awkward silence, there is a need to look for a new leader or the group disperses naturally. Alpha female: Beyoncé's black empowerment messaging of "Formation" and cementing her social influence with that headline-grabbing Superbowl performance.

^{Beyonce. Obviously.

Photo Credit: www.okayplayer.com}

She thrives in multiple roles.

Sumra published a paper “Stress and the Multiple-Role Woman: Taking a Closer Look at the 'Superwoman'". Interesting research. One would imagine that the alpha woman is stressed out with all the roles she has to manage, however, the study did not find a significant correlation between role engagement and perceived stress. In addition, the research also found a significant positive correlation between role engagement and life satisfaction. The “superwoman” thrives in engaging in many roles and increasing her presence in many dimensions in her life. Alpha female: Priyanka Chopra's successful balance of three of her roles, Bollywood star, American primetime TV star and now Hollywood (feature film) star.

^{Priyanka Chopra continues to balance her American TV and Bollywood career.

Photo Credit: www.thehindu.com}

She seeks a mate who is her partner

An alpha woman is independent and confident in her inner self and her life journey. Hence she is quite fine in her alone-ness. For this reason, she seeks a partner and companion rather than a provider. When she chooses a partner, it is because she wants to not because she needs to. This may not be the answer that the South Asian community wants to hear but it is the reality of today’s modern day woman. It also means that the traditional expectations of the South Asian woman is changing. The alpha woman is treasured in a different way by her partner and her worth is reassured in meaningful, supportive connection and action. Alpha female: Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh. With their respective award-winning Bollywood careers in flight independent from each other, they present an equilibrium in terms of partners.

^{Power couple Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.

Photo Credit: www.businessofcinema.com}

She lives a life of purpose.

The alpha female has taken the time to understand who she is and what her life purpose is. So when she is on a mission, no one can really stop her because her true soul speaks through her actions. She is not arrogant but confident in her life journey and this draws her greatest connections amongst family members, friends and co-workers. Her network supports her life purpose and she gives back in spades to those that love her unconditionally.

^{#Truth.

_{Photocredit: www.pbs.twimg.com}}

The alpha female is someone to know in a deeper way and connect with meaningfully. I have come across many situations where the alpha woman is feared and territorialism is in action and consequently she is abandoned. Luckily the modern day alpha female, the divine feminine that she is, knows that those who leave her were never meant to be with her to begin with. I am challenging you to look at the alpha female, not as a force to reckon with but a light to embrace in today’s evolved society.

^{Main Image Photo Credit: www.trendhunter.com (Donna Karan Power Woman Campaign)}

Yvonne Sinniah

Author

Yvonne Sinniah (@YvonneSinniah) is a Relations Advisor and inspirational speaker focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. focusing on helping individuals achieve success in personal and professional environments. She is on a mission to meet a nee...