My mother was a strong-willed and opinionated woman - a Sicilian! - and if she didn't like something, she'd let you know about it. So her undying support of her kids went a long way in proving to us that we were on the right path.
Marlo ThomasPeople don't want to be bothered, if they're not being pressured to change. You have to push people. You have to be the agitator that makes the pearl.
Marlo ThomasSo I still seized the power, but I felt that if I officially made myself the boss, in black and white, it would be too intimidating for the other producers and the other men who worked on the show. In other words, I had the power, but I gave them the title.
Marlo Thomas