In recent years, the focus on achieving gender balance in the boardroom has been paramount. Organisations have set targets, introduced quotas, and initiated campaigns to bring more women into leadership roles. While these efforts are undoubtedly crucial, the time has come to shift the narrative from a binary view of gender balance to a broader and more nuanced approach: balancing masculine and feminine energies in the boardroom.

The Limits of Gender Quotas

Gender quotas are a step in the right direction, but they can inadvertently reinforce the very stereotypes they seek to dismantle. When we concentrate solely on numbers, we risk overlooking the unique qualities and perspectives individuals bring to the table, regardless of gender. This is not to downplay the importance of representation, but to suggest that true balance goes beyond the mere presence of women in leadership. It’s about embracing and integrating the diverse energies that men and women naturally embody, which can transform the dynamics and effectiveness of leadership teams.

Understanding Masculine and Feminine Energy

Masculine and feminine energies are not tied to gender; rather, they are universal qualities that anyone can express.

- Masculine energy often manifests as assertiveness, decisiveness, and a focus on achieving results. It’s the energy of doing, driving forward, and taking action. In the boardroom, this might look like setting ambitious targets, taking bold risks, or leading with confidence and authority.

- Feminine energy, on the other hand, is often associated with empathy, collaboration, and intuition. It’s the energy of being, nurturing relationships, and fostering inclusivity. In a leadership context, this might involve active listening, creating space for diverse viewpoints, or prioritising team well-being alongside performance metrics.

Both energies are essential for a well-rounded approach to leadership. When we lean too heavily on one, the other tends to be undervalued or suppressed, leading to imbalances that can stifle innovation, engagement, and long-term success.

Throughout my lifetime and my experience during the formative years of my career (although unbeknownst to me at the time) I lived in a masculine energy dominant world and had to play the male energy game if I was to succeed. I displayed very masculine energy and I believed that was my true style, personality, call it what you will. Only when I tipped the age of 40 did I come to realise through sheer exhaustion of holding up this façade that it was unsustainable and catagorically NOT my natural style. Why had I 'trained' myself to operate like this? Because I had no choice (or awareness that it was even a thing!). Now, I'm working to reintegrate my natural feminine energy into my life to assist me in my burnout recovery journey and recalibrate my sense of wellbeing so I can truly show up as my best self. This makes me reflect on how many women I've worked with over the years that have experienced the same or similar?

The Role of Men in Achieving Energetic Balance

Historically, the boardroom has been dominated by masculine energy, often prioritising competition, hierarchy, and assertiveness. This has led to a workplace culture where success is defined by playing that “male game.” However, men have a crucial role to play in breaking down these outdated norms and fostering a more inclusive and balanced environment. It's not just about allowing women who've grown up in a masculine enevorinment to allow their feminine energy to reignite, it's about allowing men to tap into their often unknown feminine energy too.

By embracing both their masculine and feminine energies, men can lead by example and become allies in the quest for true balance. This might involve cultivating empathy in decision-making, championing collaborative approaches, or simply being open to vulnerability in leadership—qualities traditionally associated with feminine energy but equally powerful when integrated into a holistic leadership style.

A New Lens for Boardroom Dynamics

Imagine a boardroom where decisions are made not just with assertiveness, but with empathy; where goals are pursued with both drive and consideration for their impact on people and the planet. Such a boardroom wouldn’t be playing a man’s game—it would be setting a new standard for leadership that transcends gender and taps into the full spectrum of human potential.

For example, during a critical business negotiation, the masculine energy might drive the team to push for the best possible deal, while the feminine energy ensures that the relationship with the other party is preserved and that the agreement benefits all stakeholders. In times of crisis, masculine energy can help a team stay focused and decisive, while feminine energy might bring the emotional intelligence needed to support and motivate the team through the challenge.

Reaping the Benefits of Balanced Energy

The benefits of such an approach are manifold. Organisations that balance masculine and feminine energies are likely to foster more innovative, resilient, and adaptive cultures. Teams that value both assertiveness and empathy are better equipped to navigate the complexities of today’s business landscape, from managing remote workforces to addressing global challenges like sustainability and social responsibility.

Moreover, this balance can enhance employee engagement and retention, as people feel valued not just for their output, but for their holistic contributions to the team. It also positions organisations as forward-thinking and inclusive, traits that are increasingly important to stakeholders, including customers, investors, and future talent.

Moving Forward

To achieve this balance, organisations must be intentional in cultivating both energies within their leadership teams. This could involve training programmes that emphasise emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership, mentorship schemes that encourage leaders to explore both their assertive and empathetic sides, a corporate culture that celebrates diverse approaches to problem-solving or even a leadership retreat to fully immerse in feminine energy for both men & women.

As we move beyond the binary view of gender balance, let’s embrace a new lens—one that recognises the power of both masculine and feminine energy in the boardroom. By doing so, we can create a more balanced, inclusive, and ultimately successful world of business where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive.

In the end, it’s not about playing a man’s game or a woman’s game—it’s about creating a new game altogether, where the best of both worlds comes together to lead us into a brighter future.

If you're a woman who recognises you've been trapped in unnatural masculine energy throughout your career or your a man who would like to embrace your feminine energy and bring it into your leadership style, or gender aside - you're a person, a leader, who sees the potential value in bringing masculine & feminine energy balance into your team or organisation, get in touch to explore how this could be achieved at [email protected]