“Women Leaders, Power & Courage: Empowered, Effective Leadership Qualities”
Many women, even women leaders having an edgy time with the word ‘power’. Women’s and girl’s leadership and empowerment workshops and programs are flourishing, with great results, yet I am hearing back that the notion of being powerful and can feel difficult or harsh or uncomfortable when doing this in the work environment.
So, here is a review of the “topaz lotus leadership matrix TM” leadership traits. The matrix acknowledges both the “doing and being” of women in leadership ie both personal qualities of individual women and ‘on the ground actions/competencies’ for effective leadership for women in leadership roles. The topaz lotus leadership matrix TM builds on the solid ‘Legacy Leadership Model’ and integrates mindfulness techniques.
From the leadership matrix, foundational qualities are power and wisdom, the yin yang of leadership; infused with the following secondary qualities: courage, fire, boldness in one’s uniqueness, balanced by unconditional love, integrity and gentleness. For women, the word ‘power’ is often fused or linked with ‘power over’, ‘arrogant’, ‘condesending’, ‘dictatorial’ and one of the first things I do when coaching women leaders is help identify their limiting beliefs and ‘fusions’ and then use a powerful tool to de-fuse those links.
I would also like to discuss courage, not the kind of hero courage that is exhibited with dramatic feats but a kind of quiet and sustainable courage. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, who coined the phrase, “well behaved women seldom make history”, was in fact speaking about well behaved normal women who in the course of their regular daily, non extraordinary lives, exhibit exceptional gentle courage by refusing to be pulled into the cultural drift of complacency.
Gentle courage and ‘power with’ show up as a components of your leadership presence!
It takes courage and skill to stand in ‘your place of power’, maintain vision, uphold policies while also inspiring others. With the matrix, we talk about ‘power with’ rather than ‘power over’ and use a partnership model, collaboration, circle process and co-creation as organizing principles.
I am interested in your thoughts and experiences with these concepts. Answer the question: which woman/women leaders do you know who have used ‘power with’ and shown amazing gentle courage?
I would like to share a leadership quote with you from Margaret Wheatley, one of my favorite women leaders.
‘I think a major act of leadership right now, call it a radical act, is to create the places and processes so people can actually learn together, using our experiences.’ Margaret J. Wheatley
Enjoy your day, wonderful luscious topaz lotus women leaders!
In peace & mindfulness,
Zoey
powerful wisdom coaching for your heart & soul
Zoey Ryan BSc., PCC
Professional Certified Coach with the ICF
Life ~ Leadership ~ Executive Coaching for Women Leaders and Mentor Coaching for Women Coaches
inspiration | innovation | wisdom