We’ve all heard the saying, “Behind every great man, is a great woman.” And today with over 23% of married households in America where the women out-earn the men, the saying may need to change quickly to “Next to every great man is a great woman.”
Behind Every Great Man | Should Women Stay Behind?
In this article:
- How Important the Woman in Your Life Is
- Picking Up Relationship Roles
- Great Women Recognize Great Men
- Men Need the Guidance
- Why Men Need a Great Woman
How Important the Woman in Your Life Is
Now that we’ve determined why “behind every great man is a great woman” should be changed to “next to every great man is a great woman,” do we actually realize HOW important women are in men’s lives? For most men, the woman in our life is a direct emotional barometer of how we feel about ourselves, which is probably one of the reasons why the whole “behind every great man” quote exists. When we feel crappy about ourselves, we tend to attract and keep around a person with the same negative vibe. The same goes for a person that knows and reflects their self-worth and ends up dating the next Drake before he becomes Drake (an extreme example of course).
Picking Up Relationship Roles
I’m not talking modern political correctness here — I’m talking biological and historical roles. I’m talking provider and caretaker. I’m talking about the dual roles necessary to maintain a strong and unified family unit whose sole responsibility is the betterment, safety, and provisions of that unit. In a well-balanced life, the family has to come first — even if it’s your family of friends.
For a man, in spite of all modern musings, we simply want to be able to provide opportunity, experiences, safety, nourishment, and support on a consistent basis for our family. For most women, they are still most attracted to men who fully display their ability to provide these same things. This explains why Lil Wayne still makes some women’s Top 5 list. Men make many of their decisions to continuously display the characteristics of security and excitement to keep her interested in him as a permanent partner in life (even if his methods of peacocking aren’t an exact representation of all the colors in his repertoire).
Her decision to give herself and her future to a man makes him feel worthy of the title “Man.” It’s a biological level of trust unspoken — exhibited physically. And for that exact reason, the gesture is unspoken. It is the same reason we have yet to fully respect the enormity of sex and its impact on one’s life. We feel it — we still don’t talk about it. Sometimes, your feelings don’t act in your best personal long-term interests.
Great Women Recognize Great Men
In spite of their feelings, great women choose to give themselves to great men. They recognize the impact.
Some great women have chosen to give themselves to less than great men and are forever paying the emotional toll for doing so. This doesn’t make the woman any less great. It simply means she learns — and she grows.
Great women don’t stroke the egos of men they don’t believe in. They don’t need to.
Men Need the Guidance
Great men don’t let any potential woman carry their legacy. Sometimes, he chooses poorly — it doesn’t make him any less great, but it can make his life all the more difficult to reach his potential.
However, many times it takes a great woman to recognize a great man — like a rising stock. Historically, it was in a woman’s best interest to identify the cream of the crop and support him into being the best version of himself. As long as his loyalty is in her, they all win. Women have a tendency to see good in men when the men don’t even realize their own potential, but he knows how great of a woman she is. He sees her submit herself, her body, and her potential future with him. Even if he doesn’t fully trust in his own abilities, he trusts her judgment and faith in him – and that can allow him to reach his own greatness for he refuses to disappoint the expectation of this great woman who has poured so much of herself into him.
Why Men Need a Great Woman
Her consistent and voluntary giving of herself to him also reinforces his vision and reassures that his direction is correct. She is his barometer. When she no longer gives herself to him (mind, body, spirit), he is more likely to second-guess his methods and his status as a worthy male partner.
Hear Barrack Obama talk about what Michelle means to him in this video:
Great women don’t stroke the egos of men they don’t believe in. They don’t need to. Women are powerful beyond measure. They have historically shaped the world by the men they have chosen to support, and the agendas they have given importance to.
Beyoncé has always been correct — girls run the world. And if you’re a man so lucky to be chosen by a great woman — you may just be a great man waiting to step into your position. Don’t disappoint her. She expects much from you.
BMWK Men, do you have a great woman standing beside you?
Up Next: Power Couple Marc Clarke & Allison Seymour
Editor’s Note – This post was originally published on November 20, 2014, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.