Leadership is Feminine: Do You Have a Leadership Problem?

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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Do You Have a Leadership Problem? | E202 0

Feb 24, 2025

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy challenges leaders to take a hard look at their role—not just as decision-makers, but as the driving force behind the alignment, clarity, and culture of their organizations.

As the person at the helm, your leadership defines everything. Kris emphasizes that self-awareness isn’t optional—it’s the foundation of effective leadership. Leaders set the tone, and because so many people naturally defer to authority, it’s critical to understand the impact of your behavior, emotions, and decisions. Without that awareness, misalignment seeps in, leading to confusion, frustration, and blame.

She also asks a powerful question: Do the people who work for you know what it means to be a leader according to you? If leadership expectations aren’t clear, how can you expect your team to operate in alignment? A lack of clarity in leadership inevitably shows up in employee performance. Too often, leaders blame their teams for underperformance when the real issue lies in inconsistent direction and expectations.

This episode is a call to redefine leadership within your business. Kris invites you to get crystal clear on what leadership means—to you, to your managers, and to your entire organization. Because at the end of the day, everything comes back to leadership. And don’t forget—Sage’s Pathway training kicks off March 20th. For more information, visit www.thevisionary.ceo/sagepathway.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

The Leader’s Role in Setting the Tone: Why leadership isn’t just about being in charge, but about influencing and shaping the culture of your organization.
Self-Awareness as the Foundation of Leadership: How understanding your own impact, emotions, and behaviors is essential for leading effectively.
The Power of Clarity in Leadership: Why clearly defining leadership expectations is critical for team alignment and success.
The Consequences of Misalignment: How a lack of leadership consistency shows up in employee performance and overall business outcomes.
Leadership vs. Followership: Recognizing that many employees naturally defer to leaders, making self-awareness and accountability even more crucial.
Blame vs. Accountability: Why unclear expectations often lead to blaming employees for underperformance instead of addressing leadership gaps.
Defining Leadership for Your Team: The importance of explicitly communicating what leadership means in your business and ensuring your managers understand and embody it.

Contact Information and Recommended Resources

To get all the details and register for Sage's Pathway, visit www.thevisionary.ceo/sagepathway.