272 episodes

For most women, when we are invited to study leadership the teachers, scholars, authorities and models are primarily… men. We are indoctrinated from the time we are born that men are the leaders and that natural male characteristics are the strengths you must also possess to be a good leader.

Powerful.
Strong.
Authoritative.
Direct.
Assertive.
Decisive.

These and so many more are attributes that are typically associated with the male model of a leader.

And so, for the better part of the last one hundred years as women have made their way into the fold, in a variety of leadership roles, we have learned and studied to walk the way of a men to achieve success.

Women dismiss their own knowing because we’ve been so indoctrinated in male leadership models.

We dismiss what we know for what others tell us to be and how to be seen.

There is another way to lead.

To be in alignment.

To not feel like an imposter.

It’s time for the reimagining of leadership. That’s not to disparage any of the progress that has come before us. Progress is progress. For those of us who stand in the footsteps of the women who came before us we are here because of their courage, bravery and resilience.

I wonder instead if women equally looked to the characteristics they learned from their mothers for leadership. I wonder if we were taught to lean on different qualities to drive success. I wonder what might happen then?

The traditional qualities of mothering are communication, nurturing, listening, strength, support, grace, and yes… love.

What if to be the best leader you can be as a woman, you integrated the best of both?

This is how women will stand with integrity in their role as leaders.

As women, we can be assertive, direct, powerful, and authoritative but we need not only rely on those attributes for success.

After 25 years of watching and studying leaders, I can tell you that for sure many traditional male attributes are effective in the short run, but they typically only serve a few. Whereas, when leadership is feminine. When the leader possesses the strengths of femininity and grace the results are for all.

This podcast is my like my gentle request and invitation to my fellow female leaders that we reclaim the world leadership as one that is a feminine definition. That we continue to work with all of our allies to build organizations and systems that include more support, collaboration, grace and communication. And that we do so not because we are uncomfortable with the more traditional male-dominating models, but because we truly do know that leadership is a feminine strength and attribute.

And the world needs more of us leading. Now more than ever.

Leadership is Feminine Kris Plachy

    • Entrepreneurship

For most women, when we are invited to study leadership the teachers, scholars, authorities and models are primarily… men. We are indoctrinated from the time we are born that men are the leaders and that natural male characteristics are the strengths you must also possess to be a good leader.

Powerful.
Strong.
Authoritative.
Direct.
Assertive.
Decisive.

These and so many more are attributes that are typically associated with the male model of a leader.

And so, for the better part of the last one hundred years as women have made their way into the fold, in a variety of leadership roles, we have learned and studied to walk the way of a men to achieve success.

Women dismiss their own knowing because we’ve been so indoctrinated in male leadership models.

We dismiss what we know for what others tell us to be and how to be seen.

There is another way to lead.

To be in alignment.

To not feel like an imposter.

It’s time for the reimagining of leadership. That’s not to disparage any of the progress that has come before us. Progress is progress. For those of us who stand in the footsteps of the women who came before us we are here because of their courage, bravery and resilience.

I wonder instead if women equally looked to the characteristics they learned from their mothers for leadership. I wonder if we were taught to lean on different qualities to drive success. I wonder what might happen then?

The traditional qualities of mothering are communication, nurturing, listening, strength, support, grace, and yes… love.

What if to be the best leader you can be as a woman, you integrated the best of both?

This is how women will stand with integrity in their role as leaders.

As women, we can be assertive, direct, powerful, and authoritative but we need not only rely on those attributes for success.

After 25 years of watching and studying leaders, I can tell you that for sure many traditional male attributes are effective in the short run, but they typically only serve a few. Whereas, when leadership is feminine. When the leader possesses the strengths of femininity and grace the results are for all.

This podcast is my like my gentle request and invitation to my fellow female leaders that we reclaim the world leadership as one that is a feminine definition. That we continue to work with all of our allies to build organizations and systems that include more support, collaboration, grace and communication. And that we do so not because we are uncomfortable with the more traditional male-dominating models, but because we truly do know that leadership is a feminine strength and attribute.

And the world needs more of us leading. Now more than ever.

    How to Say What Needs to Be Said | E157

    How to Say What Needs to Be Said | E157

    In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, host Kris Plachy dives into the essential topic of expressing assertiveness and setting boundaries in professional settings. Kris illuminates the difference between what people say when they don't feel the need to guard what they say, versus what they convey in less clear ways when they feel protective.
    Kris emphasizes that the majority of women she coaches need guidance to articulate what needs to be said fearlessly and in clear terms. She candidly explores her own journey of setting stronger expectations during her info sessions, transforming them into active, participative experiences rather than passive webinars.
    A significant theme that emerges is how essential it is to set clear expectations, whether that's in team interactions, client meetings, or personal relationships. Kris candidly discusses her own experiences navigating this and shares how she boldly updated her expectations for those attending her sessions.
    This episode is an eye-opener for leaders who shy away from clarity over fear of losing people; it’s time to embrace transparency and enforce consequences for unmet expectations.
    “You run a company. If you're not clear about the agreements and the expectations for what it means to come work for you, they get to make the rules be whatever they want.
    And who could blame them?”
    Key Takeaways From This Episode Importance of Clear Communication in Leadership: Challenges faced by female leaders
    The Impact of Not Speaking Up on Relationships and Teamwork: Addressing the fear of retribution when being honest and clear
    Kris’ Example Setting and Communicating Expectations: Reflection on need for setting and enforcing clear expectations for attendees
    Leaders Managing Expectations in Business Settings: Parallels drawn from the info session example to managing a team/business
    Handling Unmet Expectations
    Contact Information and Recommended Resources Join Kris to help impact 20 Million Women across the Globe! Become a Visionary.CEO/catalyst and spread the word! Kris explains all the details on the podcast this week. Essential, go to www.theVisionary.CEO/catalyst, Register, Grab the Visionary.CEO/Podcast link from your dashboard and SHARE IT with all the women you know in your friend, colleague and network circles.
    We'll be tracking links by Catalyst and awarding each Catalyst who shares her link to at least 20 women with a free digital course from Kris. thevisionary.ceo/store
    Contact Information and Recommended Resources Connect with Kris Plachy ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.
    Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo
    Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    • 19 min
    The Best Question for Leaders to Ask | E156

    The Best Question for Leaders to Ask | E156

    In another episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy delivers powerful insights and thoughtful musings about a favorite topic: goals. Showcasing her natural finesse for leadership coaching, Kris frames a magic question that serves as an effective tool to realign our focus - "What is the goal?"
    In a world where our minds are cluttered with to-do lists, divergent ideas, and unexpected plans, Kris argues that this seemingly simple question can guide us back to the heart of our intentions. This episode delves into the importance of a goal-oriented approach in leadership and decision-making processes.
    Moreover, Kris shares an ambitious goal of her own. She hopes to inspire and influence 20 million women in leadership globally through her podcast. With this target, she highlights the underlying tenet of Leadership is Feminine - that one thriving woman can make a significant difference. She gives a call-to-action, inviting listeners to share the podcast and empower more women leaders worldwide.
    In her discussion about the power of goal setting, Kris candidly explores how "What is the goal?" can serve as a filter for clarity. It's an immediate dose of reality, highlighting if we’re on track or need to re-calibrate. So, are you ready to ask yourself, “What is the goal?”
    “What would happen to the world if women had more personal agency, had more voice, led on her own terms? I do believe we could change the world.”
    Key Takeaways From This Episode Clarifying your goals: Importance of being clear with your goals as a leader The magical question that can help regain perspective and focus Kris' Personal Goal to Reach 20 Million Women: The impact this will have for women in leadership, and how that will have an affect on all of us Call to Action for Listeners: How you can help Kris reach her goal, and the incentives to help you do so The Importance of Having a Clear Goal: Using this tool will help in meetings, professional conversations, and personal decision-making situations Contact Information and Recommended Resources Connect with Kris Plachy ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.
    Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo
    Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Your Business Edit Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    • 17 min
    Do You Really Want To Be a Leader? | E155

    Do You Really Want To Be a Leader? | E155

    In this episode of Leadership is Feminine, Kris Plachy gets real about the journey of entrepreneurship, asking the crucial question: what kind of business do you want? She draws on her years as an entrepreneur to explore the pivotal moments that arise as businesses grow, particularly when revenue hits the million-dollar mark. Kris discusses the decision-making process and the challenges women face when scaling their businesses, emphasizing the importance of aligning business goals with personal aspirations.
    Kris candidly shares her insights on the need for women to consider the life they want in the future and how it intersects with their business decisions. She challenges the traditional focus on revenue and growth, encouraging listeners to think about the type of business they truly want, and if they are willing to do what it takes to achieve it. Kris questions whether building a bigger business is always the right choice and highlights the necessity of being intentional about the future.
    Throughout the episode, Kris explores the potential pitfalls of rapid success and the importance of being prepared for growth. She emphasizes the need to build exceptional teams and be honest about personal leadership preferences. Kris’s compelling insights shed light on the often-overlooked aspects of entrepreneurial success, inspiring listeners to prioritize alignment with their true desires and intentions.
    "I want you to really think about it and build a business that aligns with the life you want. Do not live for your business and wake up thinking, this is my life. That's not the gift of entrepreneurship."
    Key Takeaways From This Episode Evaluating Business Growth and Leadership Role: The pivotal moments in the growth of a business
    Decisions when hitting certain revenue milestones: Deciding what team structures look like
    Questioning the Desire For a Larger Business: Examining whether or not a large business aligns with personal goals and lifestyle
    Exploration of whether a business has to be larger: Not living for the business but making conscious decisions
    Challenges and changes in scaling a business: Planning for the necessary resources, training, and infrastructure
    Preparedness for Business Success: The need to foresee and be ready for potential business growth
    Contact Information and Recommended Resources Connect with Kris Plachy ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.
    Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo
    Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Your Business Edit Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    • 17 min
    Abdicating is a Founder's Kryptonite | E154

    Abdicating is a Founder's Kryptonite | E154

    Welcome back to Leadership is Feminine! In this engaging episode, Kris Plachy sheds light on a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of running a business: the pitfalls of abdicating responsibilities as a founder. With candor and insight, Kris addresses the vulnerability that arises from handing over crucial aspects of the business and not being actively involved in their management.
    Kris highlights the tendency to delegate tasks to others and then disengage, whether it's bookkeeping, graphic design, or other operational functions. She emphasizes the vital role of the founder in maintaining strategic involvement and a clear line of sight into all areas of the business, even when delegating to experts. Kris delves into the potential consequences of complete abdication, such as financial mismanagement, loss of control, and the challenge of replacing key team members who hold all the knowledge.
    The episode explores the common tendencies of female founders, especially those from a bootstrapped background, to defer to or feel intimidated by senior hires' expertise. Kris stresses the importance of maintaining an authoritative presence and clear expectations for these roles, ensuring that the founder remains in control and actively engaged. She also addresses the fears and challenges that may prompt founders to shy away from micromanagement and inadvertently slide into complete abdication.
    Kris's powerful message resonates as she urges founders to embrace a leadership role, not by doing everything themselves, but by effectively leading and holding all team members accountable to the business's core vision and results. The episode serves as a wake-up call for founders to recognize and rectify instances of abdication that may be leaving their business vulnerable.
    "You're still in charge. And if you're in charge, you've got to show up. You have to be present in that relationship."
    Key Takeaways From This Episode Defining Abdication Within Your Business: Common areas and roles, recognizing what it looks like, and the consequences it has
    Hiring Senior Leaders and Delegating Responsibility: Ensuring understanding of the strategic vision and the results expected
    Balancing autonomy: The need for structure and accountability in senior roles
    Not Abdicating Doesn’t Have to Mean Micromanaging: Having a plan and not simply abdicating responsibilities
    Leading and Managing as a Founder/CEO: Inviting broader and bigger results through leadership
    Maintaining presence: Being present in the relationship without needing to know how to do the job

    • 18 min
    Stop Giving People Jobs! | E153

    Stop Giving People Jobs! | E153

    Today's episode of Leadership is Feminine dives into the concept of designing roles within a business as assets, rather than thinking of them as employee possessions. Host, Kris Plachy emphasizes the importance of creating roles that contribute to the business's objectives and results. She highlights the need to think about roles in the company as assets and how this mindset can change the way we create and hire for roles.
    Kris shares insights into the responsibility of leaders to hold individuals in these roles accountable for their performance and results. She discusses the need to separate the person from the position, emphasizing that roles belong to the business, not to the individuals. Throughout the episode, Kris stresses the importance of making decisions about roles and people based on clear evidence and expectations.
    The episode provides valuable insights into the relationship between businesses and their employees, underlining the importance of creating a culture of accountability and contribution. Kris also delves into the significance of embracing honesty and kindness in leadership, emphasizing the need for clear communication and regular feedback.
    Tune in to learn more about Kris's unique perspective on designing roles within a business and how this mindset can transform your approach to leadership and team management! And if you're looking for more information on this topic, head to thevisionary.ceo for further insights. Thanks for tuning in, and stay tuned for more empowering discussions on Leadership is Feminine!
    The only reason you should ever have a role is so it's contributing to a result. It's making something happen in the business. I don't think we pay people to get work done. I think we pay people to get results.
    Key Takeaways From This Episode Designing Roles as Business Assets: The importance of designing roles effectively
    Clear Objectives and Role Contributions: The distinction between paying for work done versus paying for results
    Finding the Right People: The impact of clear role expectations on the hiring process and role fulfillment
    Accountability and Responsibility in Leadership: Differentiating between the person and the position
    Managing Poor Role Performance: The need to address poor role performance without making it personal
    Contact Information and Recommended Resources Connect with Kris Plachy ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.
    Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo
    Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Your Business Edit Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    • 17 min
    When Your Team Doesn't Like the Manager You Hired | E152

    When Your Team Doesn't Like the Manager You Hired | E152

    In this episode, Kris Plachy dives into the complex dynamic of promoting employees into management positions and the resulting challenges. Kris unpacks common issues faced by businesses as they transition from small teams to larger management structures. She candidly explores the struggles of transitioning from being an individual contributor to a manager, and details how new managers can unknowingly cause discomfort among their former peers.
    Kris emphasizes the importance of investing in management training and the significance of developing leadership skills. With real-life examples, she highlights the impact of mismanaged leadership on employee retention and the overall health of the organization. Kris also offers a thought-provoking perspective on the need for clear communication and leadership frameworks to navigate these transitions effectively.
    The episode provides an insightful look at the complexities of leadership transitions and emphasizes the need for intentional development and support for managers within the organization. Kris's direct and relatable approach offers a refreshing take on the nuances of leadership development and the impact of effective management on a company's success.
    “You can't assume that if they've worked for you for 12 years, they know how to be like you. And we don't want them to be like you. But we want to be aligned with you.”
    Key Takeaways From This Episode Challenges of Managing People in a Growing Company: Founder transitioning to a leadership position
    Importance of Leadership Training: The impact of proper management on business performance and culture
    Managerial Communication and Expectations: Establishing clear communication and expectations from managers
    Analyzing Your Manager's Communication Style and misconceptions about authoritative approach and respect in management
    Investigating Complaints About Managers: Assessing the alignment of managers with the founder's expectations
    Contact Information and Recommended Resources Connect with Kris Plachy ONE HOUR LEADER Transform your current team into the million dollar self-directed team you wish you had in as little as one hour per week.
    Private Subscriber List: Get on the list today! TheVisionary.ceo
    Work with Kris and Her Team: TheVisionary.ceo CEO Boutique Your Business Edit Email: hello@thevisionary.ceo Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest

    • 24 min

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