Are we still trapped in an outdated leadership paradigm? As celebrate International Women’s Day, I want to explore how we can move beyond outdated leadership models—toward a future where power is shared, leadership is fluid, and work is human-centric. This shift is at the heart of Unbossing Leadership—and it starts with us.
For centuries, leadership has been shaped by a singular narrative—one that glorifies competition, control, and dominance. But what if the most powerful form of leadership isn’t about choosing between masculine or feminine traits—but integrating them?
The Feminine Warrior: A Personal Story
‼️ Note: The following topic may be sensitive to some readers‼️
Recently, I connected with a part of myself that I hadn’t fully tested before: could I access assertiveness, even male-like aggression, if necessary?
Now I know I can. But it wasn’t the first time I encountered this energy. Years ago, when my son was three, I had a defining moment of fierce protectiveness. His father was taking care of him one evening while I was out.
As I left, my son cried uncontrollably—but then, suddenly, silence.I turned back. What had quieted him so quickly?
I found his father holding a pillow over his face. In that moment, a tiger-like energy surged through me. Fierce. Protective. Non-negotiable. Dangerous, if needed. I would have done anything to ensure my child was safe.
That experience showed me something essential: this powerful force also belongs to the feminine.
And yet, for too long, leadership has been dominated by a singular narrative: the masculine.
Beyond the Either-Or: A New Leadership Paradigm
Looking at history, we see cycles of I and We—shifts from individualism to collectivism, from centralized power to shared authority. Right now, the world is facing a shadow form of masculinity in leadership—dominance, control, fragmentation.
Are we on the verge of transcending this pattern?
What if this moment in history is a tipping point—an invitation to act as fully human?
In organizations, this shift is already happening.
From hierarchy to self-management.
From command and control to shared leadership.
From power over to power with.
Frederic Laloux’s Teal Organizations point towards this transformation:
workplaces that embrace wholeness, self-organization, and evolutionary purpose—all principles often associated with feminine leadership.
But this is not about feminine versus masculine leadership. It’s about transcending the polarity altogether.
This is why Unbossing Leadership matters. It is not just a structural shift—it is an evolutionary shift.
Unbossing Leadership: The Path Forward
As of 2025, I am choosing to focus my work on what is life-giving—supporting leaders and organizations to embrace self-management and Unbossing Leadership.
This is not just a new way of working. It is a new way of being.
When we ask ourselves, What would a workplace feel like if I could have anything?—the answer that comes from the heart naturally aligns with what we call Unbossing Leadership.
A workplace where:
Leadership is shared.
People bring their whole selves.
Decisions are made by those closest to the work.
This is not just an idea. It is already happening. And it starts with us—integrating the masculine and feminine within, so we can build a world that works for everyone.
What does leadership beyond the masculine-feminine divide look like to you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. You can schedule a call with me and📩 Join the conversation. Reply, comment, or share your experience.
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