Okay. That’s not actually true. But it’s heartening that we have just seen the appointment of the first female Archbishop of Canterbury. Japan has its first female Prime Minister in Sanae Takaichi. And the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the incredibly courageous leader of the opposition in Venezuela, Maria Corina Machado, despite lobbying from the White House and POTUS himself. Refreshing too that the Nobel awards committee was unswayed by the lobbying.
Much research tells us that organisations with women in senior positions thrive. Research also tells us that a feminine style of leadership comes with greater self and system awareness. An ability to relate in a way that brings out the best in people, teams/groups, the whole organisation. More comfort with sensing and intuition into what’s needed. The power of the feminine creates more compassionate and collaborative cultures, higher levels of creativity and greater effectiveness.
Of course, it’s not as simple as women lead like this and men like that (decisive, assertive, driven being just some of the qualities attributed to a more masculine approach). Irrespective of gender we have access to both feminine and masculine energy. Gender isn’t the determinant of which we lean into when we lead. We will all have come across female leaders who lead with masculine energy, and vice versa.
The thing is both are needed in the way we lead. Drive and decisiveness matter in getting things done. How we do that is now more important than ever. How we ensure humanity’s flourishing and the creation of a better world for all through the endeavours of our organisation is what really matters
Upping our feminine energy, with its ability to nurture, to hold space for emergence rather than rushing to quick fixes and the next thing, to connect with our heart and discern what’s right for now and next, to build deep relationship, trust and connection, means coming into contact with some of the leadership superpowers we need now. They’re all elements of the inner power we each possess and can draw on if we’re open to exploring and courageous enough to step in.
Are women taking over the world? No. But don’t we all need to amplify our feminine if we’re going to make the difference our world needs?