Feminine Leadership and why it's not just for women - Copy

One of my personal lessons in the last 12 months from taking time out to recover from burnout came from some very deep reflection but wasn’t new news, it was something I’d had my head in the sand over for a while.

See, I’ve lived my life in strong masculine energy as a woman. I’d thrived off it all of my career, it helped me be as successful as I was so I saw it as a blessing that my ‘personality’ was as such.

Only here’s the thing…. I was smashing it through my 20’s and 30’s, thriving in this energy and being hugely rewarded for it. When I hit my 40’s though, the warning lights came on, the wheels started to fall off and I was running out of gas. Living so far in my masculine energy, turns out, wasn’t my natural, authentic position. Who knew?!! And it had depleted me over time to the point that my tank was empty. I couldn’t keep it up any more. Once this became clear to me, as it does, my confirmation bias started to shine a light on it and low and behold, I began to see many examples of it all around me in other women.

The penny dropped (with the help of a mirror being held up to me by a friend).

We live in a male-coded world. One that was traditionally built by men, for men. Designed to run on masculine energy. I’d never noticed because that’s all I’d ever known and I’d morphed myself into a man in order to get by and achieve. I began to question…. Do I have a feminine side? What’s it like to operate from that space? How could it influence and shape my impact if I found my natural balance?

In a world where leadership has long been defined by traditionally masculine traits—assertiveness, competition, and dominance - it’s time for a paradigm shift. Feminine leadership is not about gender; it’s a way of leading that draws on traits typically associated with feminine energy: collaboration, intuition, empathy, and nurturing. This style of leadership is essential not only for women but also for men and for society as a whole.

Feminine and masculine energies are archetypal forces that exist in all individuals, regardless of gender. Masculine energy often focuses on action, logic, and achievement, while feminine energy emphasises connection, creativity, and reflection. I’ve come to learn that both are powerful and valuable, and effective leadership happens when these energies are balanced.

Traditional leadership models have leaned heavily on masculine energy, prioritising results over relationships and efficiency over empathy. While this has driven progress, it has also fostered burnout, inequality, and disconnection - and it’s actually getting worse, not better. Feminine leadership calls for a recalibration, blending the best of both energies to create environments where people and businesses can thrive together.

Feminine leadership isn’t about women exclusively or replacing masculine traits with feminine ones. It’s about embracing a full spectrum of leadership qualities that allow 'people' to lead authentically and effectively.

For men, incorporating (or tapping into their natural) feminine energy can bring a wealth of benefits. Leaders who practice empathy and emotional intelligence are better equipped to inspire their teams, manage conflicts, and build trust. Creativity and intuition, often categorised as feminine, can drive innovation and help navigate complex challenges.

On the flip side, women can also benefit from balancing these energies. Feminine leadership doesn’t mean abandoning assertiveness or decisiveness - it means harmonising strength with compassion, ambition with purpose.

Our current societal structures are still often male-coded, celebrating competition over collaboration and logic over intuition. While these traits have their place, an over reliance on them has contributed to widening inequalities, ecological harm, and workplace cultures that leave many feeling depleted and on the brink of burnout.

Shifting toward balance is not about diminishing masculine traits but elevating the value of feminine qualities to an equal footing. A balanced society encourages leaders to be both bold and empathetic, strategic and inclusive, decisive and flexible.

As the 21st century unfolds, we face unique challenges that require a more holistic approach to leadership. The rise of remote work, the demands of a multigenerational workforce, and the growing importance of mental health all call for leaders who can adapt, connect, and inspire.

By embracing feminine leadership, we can build workplaces and communities that are more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable. It’s not just a strategy for success; it’s a blueprint for the future.

If you’d like to explore how I can support you or your organisation in developing more feminine leadership, I’d love to start a conversation. Together, we can create a leadership culture that balances strength with compassion, action with reflection, and ambition with purpose.

Get in touch today to learn how we can work together to build a more balanced, effective, and inspiring future.