Leadership is Feminine

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.

Episodes

June 23, 2025 40 mins

This one’s raw. Tender. And so incredibly real.

My client came into this conversation thinking she needed clarity. She was looking for the right answers—about her role, her goals, her business. But what came out was something much more vulnerable: the pressure to perform, the fear of letting people down, and the quiet ache of not being fully seen.

This episode is a front-row seat to what happens when a powerful woman stops performi...

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This one hit deep.

I’m talking to a founder who’s done everything “right.” Built the business. Achieved success. Carried the weight. But now… she’s just tired. Tired of running, of holding it all together, of pretending she still wants what she once did.

She thought we’d be talking about planning and priorities. Instead, we had one of the most honest conversations I’ve ever had with a woman who’s quietly—and bravely—acknowledging t...

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This episode is for the woman who’s built a thriving business—and still hears a quiet voice inside asking, “Is this really it?

My client came to this session frustrated with herself for not trusting her team or delegating enough. But what we uncovered wasn’t about delegation at all. It was about the fear of stepping away. The pressure to keep going. And the guilt that creeps in when you consider wanting more for yourself… or maybe...

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Ever hired someone because they “seemed great”... and then spent months wondering what the hell happened?

This week on Leadership is Feminine starts the series where I am letting you listen in on actual coaching conversations with female founders.

I coach a founder who’s been there. She’s rebuilding her team—and this time, she’s determined to do it differently. No more hiring based on a hunch. No more hoping a great personality wil...

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What if the next step in your evolution has nothing to do with scaling, systems, or solving that one nagging employee issue—and everything to do with who you’re becoming?

In this very personal episode, Kris Plachy sets the stage for a powerful shift. If you've been a long-time listener—or a longtime leader—you’ll want to hear where we’re going next. Because truthfully? You’re probably already feeling it. The tension. The boredom. T...

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This week on Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy offers a candid exploration of the employee-employer dynamic—and the personal responsibility that comes with being part of any team. With her trademark clarity and insight, Kris challenges listeners to rethink what it truly means to be employed: It’s not just about time—it’s about delivering results.

Through thoughtful reflection a...

This week’s episode of Leadership is Feminine is a little different. Kris Plachy offers a compelling call to action for team members everywhere to take ownership of their well-being and personal power in the workplace. Rather than placing full trust in employers to manage our financial, mental, or emotional health, Kris invites listeners to reexamine what it means to be self-led, informed, and intentional about their lives and care...

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In this week’s episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy explores the transformational power of leadership and what it really means to lead as a well-resourced woman.

Kris invites listeners to rethink leadership not as a title or destination, but as a lived experience. Leadership is about taking up space, having a voice, and guiding others toward somethin...

In this week’s episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy unpacks the powerful connection between personal agency and what it truly means to be a well-resourced woman. She invites listeners to consider how much of their lives they’re actually claiming—and how much they’ve unintentionally handed over.

Kris speaks directly to the millions of women who, despite having the means ...

April 21, 2025 12 mins

In this week's episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy discusses the ever-important topic of money and how it influences the concept of being a "well-resourced woman." Kris doesn’t just scratch the surface; she opens up about her personal experience and tackles the complex relationship many women have with money.

Kris argu...

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In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy shares a powerful reminder: your body is the vessel for your leadership, your dreams, and your impact—and it deserves your full attention.

Kris explores what it means to be physically well-resourced as a woman in leadership, especially as we navigate the transitions of our 40...

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April 7, 2025 22 mins

Do you ever feel like your time and energy are stretched too thin? In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy kicks off a limited series on what it truly means to be a well-resourced woman.

She explores the unique challenges women in leadership face—especially the pressure to juggle it all. From running a business to ...

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April 1, 2025 2 mins

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In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy dives into a topic we all know too well—difficult people. We’ve all worked with someone who’s frustrating, quirky, or just hard to get along with. And rather than facing the issue head-on, we tend to tuck these individuals away, hoping they’ll just disappear. If you’re someone who avoids difficult conversations, in this e...

March 24, 2025 8 mins

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy simplifies the hiring process with a tactical, no-nonsense approach. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by recruiting, this episode will change the way you hire—fast.

Kris walks through a step-by-step system to define the role you need, create clear objectives, and attract the right candidates. She highlights the importance of c...

In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy introduces a profound and necessary conversation: What does it mean to be a well-resourced woman?

Kris explores the essential resources women need—not just financially, but in energy, time, self-trust, and personal agency. She challenges listeners to examine how they advocate for themselves, manage their businesses, and take ...

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March 10, 2025 11 mins

Get ready for another compelling episode of Leadership is Feminine with your host, Kris Plachy! This week, we're diving into the intriguing concept of being "at the ready." Inspired by a thought-provoking chat with one of her clients, Kris explores what it means for leaders and their teams to be prepared for unexpected challenges. With a landscape full of uncertainty, akin to the ...

Welcome to another engaging episode of the Leadership is Feminine podcast with your host, Kris Plachy. In today’s episode titled “Developing Leaders Through Energy Awareness and Emotional Intelligence,” Kris takes a deep dive into leadership from an esoteric perspective.

Moving beyond the typical tactical approaches, she explores...

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February 24, 2025 14 mins

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 pe...

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    Have you ever felt like your business depends too much on you? Do you wonder how to step back without everything falling apart? In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy unpacks the path from being the one in charge to developing leaders who can run the business without you.

    She introduces the three key questions that shape an entrepreneur’s journey: How do I do this?...


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