What’s beyond the Masculine and Feminine Leadership qualities?

We hear often in leadership settings: masculine and feminine leadership qualities.

Let me first clear some assumptions:

• We all have a range of these qualities regardless of gender. That is that they are not gender specific. Traditionally they were based on gender stereotypes, hence the labels.
• All of these qualities are needed. Balance, flexibility and the ability to adapt to different situations are what are called for in effective leadership. Integration rather than polarization is the aim.
• There is a general consensus of which are considered masculine and feminine qualities and behaviors and still there are so many different perceptions held about which is which from culture to culture.?

Second, let me list the qualities I am referring to for more clarity:

Masculine Leadership Qualities are often associated with:

- Assertiveness: Taking charge, being direct, and expressing oneself confidently.

- Competitiveness: Striving to be the best and aiming for top performance.

- Independence: Making decisions without relying heavily on others.

- Risk-taking: Willingness to take bold steps and make tough decisions under uncertainty.

- Task orientation: Focusing on goals, outcomes, and achievements.

Feminine Leadership Qualities are frequently linked to:

- Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, showing compassion.

- Collaborativeness: Working with others, valuing teamwork, and fostering cooperation.

- Inclusiveness: Ensuring everyone feels valued and included, paying attention to diversity.

- Intuition: Relying on instincts and emotional intelligence to guide decisions.

- Relationship orientation: Focusing on building strong relationships and nurturing a positive team environment.

What led me to this topic for the newsletter today?

I encountered the term androgynous leadership and it made me think and rethink my approach - which I usually really like when I get to learn new things and grow.?

This style embodies a harmonious blend of traditionally masculine and feminine qualities, transcending conventional gender traits to foster a more versatile and adaptive approach to leadership. This approach transcends the binary view of gender traits, incorporating a more versatile and flexible leadership style.?

An androgynous leader is characterized by their ability to adapt their leadership style according to the situation, team needs, and organizational goals. They are capable of being both assertive and nurturing, directive and participative, competitive and cooperative. This adaptability allows them to engage with a diverse range of individuals and to foster a more inclusive and effective work environment.

The concept of androgynous leadership is grounded in the idea that the most effective leaders are those who can draw upon the full spectrum of human qualities, regardless of traditional gender norms. This approach can lead to more balanced decision-making, improved communication, and increased creativity and innovation within teams and organizations.

What I like about this concept is that I have noticed more and more when working with leaders and delivering leadership programmes, alone and with colleagues, that there is solidarity in supporting each other be it for women only or mixed groups. Leaders that truly care about what they do, find it usually important that leadership effectiveness is less about whether qualities are masculine or feminine and more about how well they understand their own strengths, how they relate to others, and how they adapt to meet the needs of their organization and team members.

Are you ready to transform your leadership and create more dynamic, diverse, and resilient organizations? Let's lead the change, together.