Always had to win a debate, and would change points if she was losing, just so she could win
“her style was built on the twin pillars of domination and the inducement of fear in others, cemented with a cruel with designed to humiliate” (Steinberg 286)
She intimidated others when she saw appropriate
"The Iron Lady"
Loved power, determined to maintain it
Thought that Europe would benefit from her leadership
Her want for maintaining power even in the face of declining popularity ultimately lead to her political defeat
As much of a substance politician as a conviction politician
Tunnel-vision/determined
Had “strongly held views” (Steinberg 240)
“conviction was in her bones and in her mind” (Steinberg 219)
Always stuck to her promises and plans, even if they were unpopular
Always consistent
Cut the government budget by $19 million
Her cabinet was not really a functional cabinet like we usually think cabinets operate today
Saw things only as black and white
Was fiercely loyal to people who held the same views as her or those who worked for her
Was almost paranoid about those who she did not see as being loyal to her, even if they were in the same political party
Did not tolerate internal argument, and therefore wanted people who agreed with her all the time
"colleagues were either all good or all bad. Those who served her loyally and never challenged her were entitled to unstinting support, those who questioned and opposed her were the enemy who deserved to be savaged" (Steinberg 287-288)
Feminism seemed almost absurd to Thatcher, and she neglected to involve other women in her politics
Her strong determination showed her great self-confidence as well as insecurities
Did not refer to the government as "we" but often used "they"
Hard-working
Always made sure that she knew exactly what she was debating
Did all of her own research, and got information from multiple sources
Was sometimes more well-informed than those who were defending the bill
Abnormal sleeping habits
Was a proactive prime minister
She wanted to "see everything and do everything" (Steinberg 275)
Perfectionist
"Some people work to live. I live to work" (Steinberg 275)
Was willing to sacrifice time spent with family and to maintain a healthy lifestyle for herself
did not have a great balance between work and pleasure
She thrived off of work, and could not imagine doing anything else
Manipulative
she would ask officials questions specifically to catch them out
changed her media image depending on whether it was tv or radio/print
saw them as black and white again
held no personal attachment or loyalty to her workers
showed certain qualities in some situations, and masked them in others
Childhood/ Family
Was always seen as more hard-working than actually being intelligent
Took criticism from teachers as a challenge
· E.g. Oxford
Youngest of two sisters
She was treated more like a son
Only really got attention from her father when she excelled in school or because she was interested in politics
Became used to only being praised when she did something well, so she felt the need to always work hard and excel
Not very attached to her family after she graduated high school; barely spoke to them
This was the defining stage of her leadership style
"Born a politician"
As a mother, she favored her son more than her daughter
Because of her somewhat cold childhood, she was also cold to her children (ex: throwing away their toys)
Leadership Style:"The Ideal Machiavellian"
Domineering
Tunnel-vision/determined
Hard-working
Manipulative
Childhood/ Family
Sources
Steinberg, Blema S. Women in Power. Montreal: McGill, 2008. Print.
Margaret Thatcher. Digital image. Web. 7 Dec. 2010. <http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/09/07/article-1053300-028F98D500000578-668_468x395.jpg>.