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
This week on Leadership is Feminine, we're diving deep into a subject matter that isn't often discussed - the emotional toll of pet bereavement, and how that affects our businesses. Our guest, Erika Sinner, shares her personal journey of dealing with the loss of her beloved pets and how this sparked her to author a book, Pets Are Family. This episode unravels the societal discomfort around discussing pet grief and the need for empa...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy dives into the essential topic of expressing assertiveness and setting boundaries in professional settings. Kris illuminates the difference between what people say when they don't feel the need to guard what they say, versus what they convey in less clear ways when they feel protective.
Kris emphasizes that the majority of women she coaches need guidance to articulate what...
In another episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy delivers powerful insights and thoughtful musings about a favorite topic: goals. Showcasing her natural finesse for leadership coaching, Kris frames a magic question that serves as an effective tool to realign our focus - "What is the goal?"
In a world where our minds are cluttered with to-do lists, divergent ideas, and unexpected plans, Kris argues that this seemingly simpl...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy gets real about the journey of entrepreneurship, asking the crucial question: what kind of business do you want? She draws on her years as an entrepreneur to explore the pivotal moments that arise as businesses grow, particularly when revenue hits the million-dollar mark. Kris discusses the decision-making process and the challenges women face when scaling their businesses, emp...
Welcome back to Leadership is Feminine! In this engaging episode, Kris Plachy sheds light on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of running a business: the pitfalls of abdicating responsibilities as a founder. With candor and insight, Kris addresses the vulnerability that arises from handing over crucial aspects of the business and not being actively involved in their management.
Kris highlights the tendency to delegate tasks to ...
Today's episode of Leadership is Feminine dives into the concept of designing roles within a business as assets, rather than thinking of them as employee possessions. Host, Kris Plachy emphasizes the importance of creating roles that contribute to the business's objectives and results. She highlights the need to think about roles in the company as assets and how this mindset can change the way we create and hire for roles.
Kris sha...
In this episode, Kris Plachy dives into the complex dynamic of promoting employees into management positions and the resulting challenges. Kris unpacks common issues faced by businesses as they transition from small teams to larger management structures. She candidly explores the struggles of transitioning from being an individual contributor to a manager, and details how new managers can unknowingly cause discomfort among their fo...
In this week's episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy dives into the tough reality of losing key team members unexpectedly in your growing business. She acknowledges the emotional toll it takes and provides insightful guidance on how to navigate these challenging moments.
Throughout the episode, Kris emphasizes the inevitability of change in business and the importance of being prepared for it. She encourages listeners to m...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy challenges the notion of open door policies and their effectiveness in leadership. With her signature wisdom, Kris dives into why simply declaring an open door policy isn't enough to make team members feel truly comfortable approaching you. She emphasizes the importance of being intentional and prescriptive in creating opportunities for engagement with your team.
Kris illustrat...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy addresses the challenges and dynamics that arise when a manager becomes the go-to person for complaints and venting within a company. She shares her perspective on the role of managers in extending culture, expectations, and values into the organization, while also emphasizing the importance of effective communication and translating the founder's vision to the team.
Kris explo...
In this episode, Kris Plachy is tackling the intriguing topic of team gossip – you know, that thing that has a way of sneaking its way into our business and team conversations? In Kris fashion, she cuts to the chase, sharing insights on how gossip can impact small businesses, leadership dynamics, and even our personal relationships.
She dives into the different shades of venting, complaining, and gossiping, shedding light on the un...
In today’s enlightening episode of Leadership is Feminine, we delve into the exciting world of yoga, self-care, and leadership with our amazing guest, Brett Larkin, a yoga entrepreneur and new author of Yoga Life: Habits, Poses, and Breathwork to Channel Joy Amidst the Chaos. Brett credits mindset shifts that host, Kris Plachy, coached her through as crucial in her journey of managing her company and writing her book, all while nav...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy dives into the concept of why good leaders say no. She presents her perspective on how saying no is a crucial skill for leaders, delving into the reasons why people often struggle with it. Kris unpacks the dynamics of people-pleasing and the underlying motivations behind saying yes when really meaning no.
Throughout the episode, Kris explores the impact of leaders' ability to s...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy shares her insights on the unique challenges faced by female business owners whose companies have reached the three to five million dollar revenue mark and beyond. Drawing on her experience working with million-dollar female business owners, Kris discusses the complexities of team design and the vital role of leadership in scaling a business.
Kris emphasizes the need for b...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy dives into the power of intentionality in achieving our goals and becoming effective leaders. She emphasizes the importance of being intentional about our actions and decisions, especially when it comes to leadership and building successful teams.
Kris discusses how many entrepreneurs excel at learning new skills and strategies to grow their businesses but often struggle when i...
In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy introduces the concept of the One Hour Leader, a new offering designed specifically for female founders running million-dollar businesses. She dives deep into the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs as they transition from hitting seven-figure thresholds and the necessity to evolve and lead their teams differently.
Kris encourages w...
In this New Year episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy takes us on a journey of self-reflection and goal setting. With the turn of the year, Kris encourages listeners to treat this podcast as their own mini retreat, prompting them to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year ahead.
Kris emphasizes the importance of journaling and introspection, guiding listeners through a series of thought-provoking question...
In this final installment of this Gen-X Women Founders mini series, host Kris Plachy dives into the emotional load and labor that comes with being a Gen-X woman leading her own business. She delves into the societal pressures and expectations placed on women, especially those who are ambitious and successful in their careers. From the guilt associated with balancing work and family to the challenges of self-advocacy and trusting on...
In this latest episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy dives into the unique world of Gen-X women and the impact they have on leadership and change. This episode candidly addresses the impact of the pandemic on different generations and how it has influenced the struggles of the younger population. She discusses the need for leaders to understand and embrace the needs of the younger workforce and the importance of being open...
In our 3rd installment of Kris Plachy’s GenX Female Founder Series of "Leadership is Feminine," host Kris addresses the unique challenges and experiences of Gen X female entrepreneurs, with a special emphasis on imposter syndrome. Specifically why so many of us experience it and how developing our understanding of it can help us overcome it… For good.
Kris shares her journey and insights, tracing the evolution of women's roles in...
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