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Leadership is Feminine

For most women, when we are invited to study leadership the teachers, scholars, authorities and models are primarily… men. We are indoctrinated from the time we are born that men are the leaders and that natural male characteristics are the strengths you must also possess to be a good leader. Powerful. Strong. Authoritative. Direct. Assertive. Decisive. These and so many more are attributes that are typically associated with the male model of a leader. And so, for the better part of the last one hundred years as women have made their way into the fold, in a variety of leadership roles, we have learned and studied to walk the way of a men to achieve success. Women dismiss their own knowing because we’ve been so indoctrinated in male leadership models. We dismiss what we know for what others tell us to be and how to be seen. There is another way to lead. To be in alignment. To not feel like an imposter. It’s time for the reimagining of leadership. That’s not to disparage any of the progress that has come before us. Progress is progress. For those of us who stand in the footsteps of the women who came before us we are here because of their courage, bravery and resilience. I wonder instead if women equally looked to the characteristics they learned from their mothers for leadership. I wonder if we were taught to lean on different qualities to drive success. I wonder what might happen then? The traditional qualities of mothering are communication, nurturing, listening, strength, support, grace, and yes… love. What if to be the best leader you can be as a woman, you integrated the best of both? This is how women will stand with integrity in their role as leaders. As women, we can be assertive, direct, powerful, and authoritative but we need not only rely on those attributes for success. After 25 years of watching and studying leaders, I can tell you that for sure many traditional male attributes are effective in the short run, but they typically only serve a few. Whereas, when leadership is feminine. When the leader possesses the strengths of femininity and grace the results are for all. This podcast is my like my gentle request and invitation to my fellow female leaders that we reclaim the world leadership as one that is a feminine definition. That we continue to work with all of our allies to build organizations and systems that include more support, collaboration, grace and communication. And that we do so not because we are uncomfortable with the more traditional male-dominating models, but because we truly do know that leadership is a feminine strength and attribute. And the world needs more of us leading. Now more than ever.
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Now displaying: February, 2024
Feb 26, 2024

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy challenges the notion of open door policies and their effectiveness in leadership. With her signature wisdom, Kris dives into why simply declaring an open door policy isn't enough to make team members feel truly comfortable approaching you. She emphasizes the importance of being intentional and prescriptive in creating opportunities for engagement with your team.

Kris illustrates the concept by likening an open door policy to inviting someone into your home and how you can best make someone feel welcomed. She urges leaders to provide specific avenues for communication, such as scheduled one-on-one meetings, team lunches, or virtual office hours. Emphasizing the need for proactive engagement, Kris encourages leaders to initiate interactions, particularly with team members they might not know well.

The episode emphasizes that the responsibility of creating a welcoming and approachable environment falls on the leader. Kris discusses the need for leaders to set boundaries and expectations while still being accessible and engaging. She highlights the importance of making team members feel comfortable and valued, ultimately shaping a healthy and productive workplace culture.

There's a mantra that says ‘You first’. And I really think that's true for leaders. You have to go first. You have to initiate what engagement looks like.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

  1. Open Door Policy Misconceptions: Exploring the reasons why open door policies may not be effective

  2. Creating Welcoming and Effective Communication Structures: Specific examples of ways to engage with team members

  3. Communication Strategies Leaders Can Use With Team Members: Suggestions for remote or virtual team engagement

  4. Encouraging Leaders to Take the Initiative In Engagement: Taking a look at how leaders can be more approachable

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Connect with Kris Plachy

ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

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Feb 19, 2024

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy addresses the challenges and dynamics that arise when a manager becomes the go-to person for complaints and venting within a company. She shares her perspective on the role of managers in extending culture, expectations, and values into the organization, while also emphasizing the importance of effective communication and translating the founder's vision to the team.

Kris explores the issue of things getting lost in translation when communicating with managers, emphasizing the need for clear expectations and a strong emphasis on the organization's vision. She also discusses the importance of managers taking ownership of their role and responsibilities, particularly when it comes to addressing tough situations and holding employees accountable. Kris shares insights on empowering managers to be effective leaders rather than just messengers for the founder's directives.

Join Kris as she delves into the intricate world of leadership, offering practical insights and solutions for managing a team while maintaining a healthy and productive work culture. If you're navigating the complexities of building and leading a team, this episode is a must-listen.

“You've got to empower these managers to take responsibility for what they're doing. And if they don't agree or they have other ideas, let that be a part of your conversation. If all you're doing is telling people what to do, but you just hired someone and paid them a lot more money to be a babysitter of employees, that's what you're going to get.”

Key Takeaways From This Episode

  1. Building a Management Team: Clarifying expectations, values, and vision
  2. Connecting Tasks to the Bigger Picture: Ensuring managers understand the reason behind the tasks and decisions
  3. Addressing Difficult Conversations: Coaching managers to develop the language to address uncomfortable topics with team members
  4. Dealing with Employee Complaints and Venting: Encouraging employees to bring solutions and recommendations when something doesn't work
  5. Distinguishing between legitimate concerns/complaints and informal venting: Formal process for addressing complaints, involving HR or higher-level management, and addressing mental health challenges and they are handled in the workplace

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Connect with Kris Plachy

ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Feb 12, 2024

In this episode, Kris Plachy is tackling the intriguing topic of team gossip – you know, that thing that has a way of sneaking its way into our business and team conversations? In Kris fashion, she cuts to the chase, sharing insights on how gossip can impact small businesses, leadership dynamics, and even our personal relationships.

She dives into the different shades of venting, complaining, and gossiping, shedding light on the underlying reasons why we humans engage in these behaviors. Kris opens up about her own encounters with gossip and stresses why leaders must confront it directly within their organizations.

Get ready for some practical tips on dealing with workplace gossip – Kris emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations and values as a leader. She also discusses how leaders can either contribute to or combat gossip, highlighting the significant role their attitude plays in shaping the team culture.

Plus, she shares a compelling real-life story about navigating gossip within her own team, emphasizing the importance of establishing boundaries and enforcing consequences in the workplace. There’s even a suggestion on equipping our team members with tools to manage gossip.

So, if you're curious about dealing with gossip, this episode is a must-listen!

What I know ultimately, though, is we have to talk about gossip. We have to address it, and it has to be a part of our agreements and expectations that we set in our businesses, especially when we run small business.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

  1. Definition of Gossip: Differentiating between venting, complaining, and gossip

  2. Gossip and Workplace Culture: Impact of gossip on undermining authority and building actions

  3. Role of Leaders in Addressing Gossip: Responsibility to establish clear values and expectations regarding gossip

  4. Creating a Culture of Open Communication: Importance of creating a culture where issues are addressed directly

  5. Developing Healthy Workplace Behaviors: Providing support for employees to raise concerns in a constructive manner

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Connect with Kris Plachy

ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo

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Feb 5, 2024

In today’s enlightening episode of Leadership is Feminine, we delve into the exciting world of yoga, self-care, and leadership with our amazing guest, Brett Larkin, a yoga entrepreneur and new author of Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos. Brett credits mindset shifts that host, Kris Plachy, coached her through as crucial in her journey of managing her company and writing her book, all while navigating personal challenges.

During their chat, Brett shines a light on the importance of making your yoga practice truly your own, emphasizing the critical role of awareness and breath work over prescribed poses. Kris and Brett's conversation touches on how important it is for female founders to integrate yoga into daily life, emphasizing how the practice of yoga fosters a deep connection with oneself, significantly benefiting physical and emotional health.

This inspiring conversation serves as a gentle reminder to prioritize self-care, be mindful of our bodies, and understand their undeniable connection with our overall well-being. After all, as Brett emphatically puts it, “You are your most precious asset when running a business."

A lot of us have resistance, especially as entrepreneurs to slowing down. Because all of a sudden there's this empty space. It's just us and our breath. We don't have a phone to distract us, and emotion comes up. But it's so important to feel that. -Brett Larkin

Key Takeaways From This Episode

  1. Brett Larkin's Professional Journey and Accomplishments: Launching yoga teaching training online and managing the shift in business strategy during the pandemic

  2. The Importance of Investing in Oneself: Emphasizing the need to care for and nurture one's body as a vessel

  3. The Role of Yoga in Holistic Health and Wellness: Yoga as a form of emotional processing and introspection and the impact that has for entrepreneurs

  4. Insights into Leadership, Team Management, and Entrepreneurship: The role coaching played for Brett as she maneuvered through different aspects of her entrepreneurial journey

  5. Adaptability of Yoga: Looking at the core tenants of yoga, and being able to adapt and integrate it into big and small moments

Guest Bio

Brett Larkin is the founder of Uplifted Yoga® and the author of Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos. Her Online Yoga Teacher Trainings have set the standard for quality online certification since 2015 and matriculated thousands of yoga teachers.

Brett’s award-winning YouTube channel with over half a million subscribers and Uplifted Yoga Podcast empower you to actively design your life using yoga’s ancient wisdom. Yoga enthusiasts love her courses on Kundalini Yoga, Prenatal Yoga, and the Uplifted Yoga® Academy.

Learn more at BrettLarkin.com 

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

Connect with Kris Plachy

ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.

Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo

Work with Kris and Her Team:

Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo

Linkedin

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

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