Feminine and masculine energy is carried within us all, irrespective of gender. The feminine energy is intuitive, nurturing, soft and grounded. The masculine energy is present, logical, focused, and protective.
While the feminine is free-flowing and not bound by rules, the masculine is more structured, predictable, and rigid. When these two energies are balanced within, they have the capacity to create a significant union that is immensely empowering, and hugely beneficial to navigating the modern workplace, either as a leader or employee.
Indeed, it is not just time to balance the masculine and feminine principles inside of us, but within our belief systems and cultural ethos too. It is important to note that men can connect with their inner feminine, and women can connect with their inner masculine. These traits extend beyond gender as everyone can find balance with both.
Masculine traits – such as being direct, competitive, and assertive – have traditionally dominated the workplace whilst qualities considered feminine – such as empathy and collaboration – have been suppressed. As our definitions of leadership evolve and shift, we start to see the potential for something else.
New leadership models are moving away from traditional ‘command and control’ hierarchies and are being replaced by new, much needed, models of impact and inclusion. Increasingly, team members are encouraged to view themselves as valued contributors, whilst motivated to offer their talents in service of a common goal. What we are seeing is more organizations growing toward flatter, more collaborative structures.
How to embrace your feminine qualities at work
Tap into your intuition.
Intuition is a superpower in the workplace. Taking time to harness the power of that inner knowing can be an incredible key to success.
Intuition can help to attract the best partners and preferred clients.
We can cultivate a daily ritual that engages with natural intuition. Using your senses, learn to listen to your heart, to the wisdom of nature and to what is aligned with the best version of you. Take time each day to connect inward as you develop your ability to pick up subtle emotional cues and nonverbal messages. Meditation and journaling can help in this respect.
Cultivate empathy
Leaning into the feminine qualities of compassion and sensitivity can pave the way for greater leadership skills, strength and trust from peers and team members. Successful leaders express genuine care and attentiveness, regardless of whether they are men or women, to nurture talent and inspire values and purpose.
Taking time to understand someone’s essence and what makes them tick, aspirations, and insecurities alike, can pave the way for powerful team building, all the while carving out authentic purpose and increased value. Nurturing employees also boosts morale and increases retention.
Dare to be vulnerable
Femininity is about embracing the ability to be vulnerable. When you are authentic and real, you can inspire others to do the same. Team members respond positively to leaders who actively demonstrate their humanity.
Human traits that make us ‘real’ to others should not be suppressed, but instead given space to shine. Relating to others authentically fosters a much deeper space for genuine care and empathy.
Engender connection
Recognise the ‘we in me’. Build more collaborative relationships that are based upon drawing out individual gifts and unique talents. Connect with those who do things differently or who exhibit a different set of skills and approaches.
Creating meaningful relationships that foster real community at work can have a tremendous impact. Indeed, it is high time to embody the strength of bringing your feminine essence into each and everything that you do. The world needs more empathy, more collaboration, and more nurturing. Feminine energy need not clash with the masculine. But femininity needs to be recognised as the true superpower that it is.
Contemplating any kind of change without a secure and guaranteed ROI is sometimes a struggle, however the benefits to your business, team, employee retention and engagement are right there.
Nancy Zabaneh, wellness expert, founder of Darshan and Kundalini Yoga Teacher Trainer
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