What if the very traits you’ve been told to suppress could be the key to your success? Traditional leadership models have favored qualities like assertiveness, dominance, and decisiveness for too long. They have downplayed or outright dismissed traits commonly associated with femininity—such as empathy, collaboration, and intuition. Yet, these so-called “soft skills” are crucial. These skills drive real results in today’s complex and diverse workplaces. For African American and Black women in leadership, and other women of color, embracing these traits is not just about authenticity. It’s about leveraging them as a strategic advantage. Effectively utilizing these traits can transform teams, organizations, and industries.
Reclaiming the Narrative: Redefining Leadership
Leadership, as we’ve come to know it, has been shaped by patriarchal ideals. These ideals celebrate power over collaboration. They prioritize individualism over inclusivity. Women, especially women of color, have often been forced to conform to these rigid expectations. They have been pressured to “act more like men” to gain respect or credibility. However, these models are outdated and increasingly misaligned with what modern organizations truly need.
Research and lived experiences show that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all—and femininity is not a liability. Traits like empathy, intuition, and collaboration are crucial. They help navigate today’s challenges. This is true whether it’s managing multicultural teams, innovating in competitive markets, or building equitable workplace cultures.
It was once believed that women needed to suppress traits like compassion and empathy. They were often pressured to fit the mold of a ‘strong leader.’ However, research has proven otherwise. Studies have consistently shown that women outperform men in key leadership skills. These skills include prolific communication, integrity, and effective problem-solving (Zenger & Folkman, 2019). These traits—often seen as feminine—are not liabilities but powerful assets that drive trust, collaboration, and innovation within teams.
When leaders stop trying to mimic traditional, rigid leadership styles, they thrive. By embracing their unique strengths and approaches, they often create environments where their teams flourish. By leaning into their natural abilities, leaders—especially women—can inspire loyalty and drive exceptional results. This re-imagining of leadership isn’t about rejecting traditionally masculine qualities. It’s about integrating and balancing both to create a more holistic and effective leadership style.
The Power of Empathy in Building Trust
Empathy is often dismissed as a “soft” or overly emotional quality. However, it is one of the most powerful tools a leader can wield. Empathy allows leaders to see beyond numbers and policies, connecting with the human side of their teams. For women of color, empathy is a skill that often comes naturally. This skill is developed through the shared experiences of overcoming obstacles, navigating bias, and fostering resilience.
In leadership, empathy builds trust—and trust is the cornerstone of any successful team. When employees feel seen, heard, and understood, they’re more engaged, loyal, and productive. Empathetic leaders create a safe space for honest communication, making it easier to address challenges and foster innovation.
Practical ways to incorporate empathy into leadership include:
- Active Listening: Fully engage with your team during conversations. Don’t just hear their words—understand their concerns, motivations, and aspirations.
- Personalized Support: Recognize that no two team members are alike. Tailor your leadership approach to meet individual needs and circumstances.
- Cultural Sensitivity: As a woman of color, you may already navigate cultural nuances with ease. Leverage this skill to create environments where everyone feels valued and included.
Collaboration: Leadership in Community
Traditional leadership often emphasizes hierarchical decision-making and competition. However, collaboration is crucial for effective leadership. It brings diverse voices together toward a common goal. This approach is one of the most effective strategies for achieving sustained success. Collaboration fosters innovation. It encourages the free flow of ideas. It also strengthens relationships by promoting mutual respect and shared accountability.
For African American and Black women in leadership, collaboration often comes naturally. This is because community is deeply rooted in so many of our cultural experiences. However, the challenge lies in navigating environments where collaboration is undervalued or misunderstood as a lack of decisiveness.
Here are some ways to champion collaboration as a leader:
- Facilitate Open Dialogue: Create opportunities for team members to share their ideas and perspectives without fear of judgment.
- Model Collaborative Behaviors: Show your team the value of working together by seeking input, sharing credit, and celebrating collective wins.
- Bridge Silos: Break down departmental barriers by fostering cross-functional partnerships. This approach not only builds unity but also drives innovation through diverse expertise.
Intuition: A Leader’s Hidden Strength
Intuition is often dismissed as “guesswork” or “luck.” However, it is a deeply rooted ability to process information. It helps leaders make decisions based on experience, context, and emotional intelligence. While, intuition is not a substitute for data-driven strategies, it can provide leaders with an edge. This is especially true in uncertain or rapidly changing environments.
For women of color, intuition often stems from a combination of professional expertise and lived experience. It’s the ability to read between the lines. It helps them sense when something isn’t right. It also allows them to anticipate challenges before they arise. This isn’t magic—it’s a skill honed through years of navigating complex systems and environments.
How to use intuition strategically:
- Combine Data with Insight: Use intuition to complement factual information, helping you make well-rounded decisions.
- Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, investigate it. Often, your gut is picking up on details your conscious mind may have overlooked.
- Cultivate Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your decisions and outcomes to fine-tune your intuitive abilities.
Creating Inclusive Environments Through Femininity
Leadership isn’t just about managing tasks—it’s about inspiring people. And one of the most inspiring things a leader can do is create an environment where everyone feels valued. It is important that individuals feel respected, and empowered to succeed. This is where the feminine qualities of empathy, collaboration, and intuition truly shine.
For African American and Black women leaders, inclusivity is often a deeply personal value. It’s rooted in the understanding of what it feels like to be excluded, underestimated, or overlooked. By embracing this empathy, women of color can transform workplace cultures in powerful ways.
Ways to foster inclusivity:
- Empower Marginalized Voices: Advocate for underrepresented team members and ensure they have opportunities to lead and contribute.
- Challenge Biases: Use your leadership platform to address inequities, from hiring practices to promotion policies.
- Celebrate Diversity: Go beyond surface-level acknowledgments of diversity by creating meaningful opportunities for cross-cultural learning and collaboration.
Reframing Femininity as Strength
It’s time to stop viewing femininity as a weakness and start recognizing it as a strength. Women of color can redefine leadership by embracing qualities like empathy, collaboration, and intuition. This approach creates more authentic experiences for themselves. It also leads to more effective outcomes for their teams and organizations.
Research and lived experiences reveal a key insight. When women leaders embrace their authentic selves rather than conforming to traditional molds, they unlock their full potential. This authenticity fosters a sense of personal freedom. It also enhances leadership effectiveness by allowing their unique strengths and perspectives to shine.
The world doesn’t need more leaders who conform to outdated norms. It needs leaders who bring their full selves to the table. Leaders like you who are unafraid to blend strength with softness. Leaders who blend strategy with empathy and vision with collaboration.
Key Takeaways:
- Embracing traditionally feminine traits like empathy, collaboration, and intuition can change leadership styles significantly. These traits serve as powerful tools for fostering trust and promoting innovation.
- Studies reveal that women leaders often outperform their male counterparts in key areas such as resilience, communication, and problem-solving.
- Organizations benefit significantly from inclusive leadership teams that leverage the unique qualities of women and women of color.
- Authentic leadership—grounded in individuality—enables women to build trust and achieve remarkable team outcomes.
Suggested Reading:
- “Balancing Leadership and Femininity: Embracing Authenticity and Grace”: Explore how embracing femininity enhances leadership impact and authenticity.
- “Breaking Free: Conquer Imposter Syndrome & Own Your Confidence”: Learn how to silence self-doubt and lead with confidence and conviction.
A Sneak Peek: Coming Monday
In our next post, we’ll continue this series on Leadership & Femininity. We will explore “Leveraging Emotional Intelligence in Leadership”. This is a deep dive into how emotional intelligence can elevate your ability to lead with both heart and strategy. Stay tuned!
Connect with Us!
By embracing feminine traits in leadership, you’re not only rewriting the rules—you’re creating a blueprint for others to follow. Share your thoughts and stories in our Facebook Collective. There we’re building a community of women who lead with grace, strength, and authenticity. Together, we can redefine leadership and show the world what it truly means to lead with femininity.
References
Zenger, J., & Folkman, J. (June 25, 2019). Women score higher than men in most leadership skill. Harvard Business Review. http://vjholcomb.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Research_-Women-Score-Higher-Than-Men-in-Most-Leadership-Skills.pdf