Leadership is Feminine: Being a Trailblazing Woman

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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Being a Trailblazing Woman | E188 0

Nov 18, 2024

Do you ever feel like your instincts are leading you down a different path than others in your field? Have you questioned whether your unique approach is “right” simply because it doesn’t match the norm? In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy draws inspiration from a recent conversation with a client who, like so many trailblazing women, is choosing to follow her own vision in business—even when it means going against the grain.

Diving into the realities of blazing your own trail, Kris captures the complexities of being a woman who doesn’t conform to traditional expectations in her industry. She examines how trailblazing women often face doubt, rejection, and even isolation, as they make decisions that may look unconventional or “wrong” to others. Whether you’re taking bold steps to create something new or stepping away from business practices that no longer serve you, this episode encourages you to honor your vision.

Kris highlights that the journey of a trailblazer is filled with ups and downs—grappling with societal pressures, personal insecurities, and limiting beliefs. But she reminds us that this path, though challenging, is also incredibly rewarding. By standing firm in their choices, these women not only break barriers but also pave the way for others. In Kris’s words, "The path of a trailblazing woman is to wrangle doubt and fear and rejection and jealousy and feeling ostracized.”

Join Kris in celebrating the courage and resilience of trailblazing women. This episode is a reminder that you’re not alone in following a vision others may not fully understand. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing it wrong” simply because you’re doing it differently, this episode will inspire you to keep going, to embrace your instincts, and to continue carving out a path that’s uniquely yours.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

Definition of a Trailblazer and the Challenges They Face
Personal Experiences and Observations: Kris shares personal experiences and what she has seen among her clients when it comes to stepping outside the norm.
Handling Isolation and Doubt as a Trailblazer: Dealing with negative feedback and the influence of societal norms.
Encouragement and Support for Trailblazing Women
The Importance of Community, Self-Belief, and Holding On to the Vision

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