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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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Mar 25, 2024

Welcome back to Leadership is Feminine! In this engaging episode, Kris Plachy sheds light on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of running a business: the pitfalls of abdicating responsibilities as a founder. With candor and insight, Kris addresses the vulnerability that arises from handing over crucial aspects of the business and not being actively involved in their management.

Kris highlights the tendency to delegate tasks to others and then disengage, whether it's bookkeeping, graphic design, or other operational functions. She emphasizes the vital role of the founder in maintaining strategic involvement and a clear line of sight into all areas of the business, even when delegating to experts. Kris delves into the potential consequences of complete abdication, such as financial mismanagement, loss of control, and the challenge of replacing key team members who hold all the knowledge.

The episode explores the common tendencies of female founders, especially those from a bootstrapped background, to defer to or feel intimidated by senior hires' expertise. Kris stresses the importance of maintaining an authoritative presence and clear expectations for these roles, ensuring that the founder remains in control and actively engaged. She also addresses the fears and challenges that may prompt founders to shy away from micromanagement and inadvertently slide into complete abdication.

Kris's powerful message resonates as she urges founders to embrace a leadership role, not by doing everything themselves, but by effectively leading and holding all team members accountable to the business's core vision and results. The episode serves as a wake-up call for founders to recognize and rectify instances of abdication that may be leaving their business vulnerable.

"You're still in charge. And if you're in charge, you've got to show up. You have to be present in that relationship."

Key Takeaways From This Episode

  1. Defining Abdication Within Your Business: Common areas and roles, recognizing what it looks like, and the consequences it has

  2. Hiring Senior Leaders and Delegating Responsibility: Ensuring understanding of the strategic vision and the results expected

  3. Balancing autonomy: The need for structure and accountability in senior roles

  4. Not Abdicating Doesn’t Have to Mean Micromanaging: Having a plan and not simply abdicating responsibilities

  5. Leading and Managing as a Founder/CEO: Inviting broader and bigger results through leadership

  6. Maintaining presence: Being present in the relationship without needing to know how to do the job

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