The Shape of Power: Reclaiming the Feminine Way of Leading

First – This might look like an essay only for women -- and it is oriented toward women, but I believe this information will be helpful for men as well, so stick with me, guys. 

As a settle into my life in Colorado after a considerable time away, I’ve been exploring how I continue in the heart space that carried me through six months on the road. I’m especially aware of the presence of the Divine Feminine in my day-to-day activities, which has led me to look deeper at how I lead. Specifically, how is masculine leadership different from feminine leadership?  

There’s a difference between the two. One is driven by ambition, the other by impact. Ambition lunges forward in a singular way, reaching and climbing. Impact examines who is affected, grounds down, expands outward, and touches hearts in unseen ways.

In a world that’s long rewarded speed, achievement, and linear motion, the masculine model of leadership has become the norm. Its forward-focused, goal-driven, and externally measured. It gets things done. I honor the structure it offers, the protection it can bring, the clarity it provides.

However…leadership rooted solely in the masculine often forgets to look back and ask: Was this good for everyone? Did it nourish the soul? Did it make a difference beyond the numbers?

That’s where feminine leadership rises.

Feminine leadership isn’t a reversal of the masculine. It balances the masculine.
It doesn’t dominate; it invites.
It doesn’t charge ahead without looking; it pauses to listen.
It doesn’t burn out in constant motion; it honors rhythm, reflection, and rest.

It’s not about biology, except that this form of leadership comes more easily for most women. I certainly know men who lead in feminine ways.

The feminine leads from the body, from intuition, from deep presence.
It values inner alignment as much as outer accomplishment.
It measures success not just in what was built, but in who was blessed.

You see, we’re not here to climb the ladder faster. We’re here to live full and satisfying lives.

We’re here to remember that circles are sacred and that sitting in council, tending the hearth, honoring the unseen, and leading from love are not outdated or unproductive practices. They’re holy and needed in today’s world.

So how do we balance the masculine form of leadership by awakening to the feminine qualities of leadership?

Here are five practices to begin:

Honor your rhythms.
Step off the treadmill of constant output. Track your energy. Where does it rise and fall? Lead in ways that align with your natural cycles, not society’s clock.

Practice sacred pause.
Build in time for stillness. Feminine wisdom often speaks in whispers. Create space to hear the wisdom within you. Breathe. Reflect. Ask: What is mine to do? What can I release?

Lead with feeling.
Don’t apologize for your sensitivity. It’s a superpower. Pay attention to the emotional and energetic undercurrents in your team, your clients, and yourself.

Gather in circle.
Collaboration isn’t chaos. It’s communion. Sit with others. Ask real questions. Listen deeply. Decisions made in circle carry a wisdom the lone mind can’t always access.

Bless what you build.
Whether it’s a project, a product, or a business plan, infuse it with intention. Place your hand on your heart and ask the Divine Feminine to move through you as you lead.

I’m reminded that leadership isn't just about direction. It’s about devotion. It’s not just about results. It’s about resonance. And in this time of great unraveling and great awakening, the world doesn’t need more ladder-climbers. It needs more people accessing their deep knowing.

The shape of the future is not a line. It’s a circle…a spiral, really.

And we’re the ones restoring its sacred form.