In most cultures, there has been a prevalent teaching–whether direct or indirect–that women should always be nice. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you should be mean or rude, but I am saying that, as female leaders, we need to stop being so nice. Immediately. Why am I advocating for such a seemingly controversial shift in how women lead? Because we need to be expecting, and directly expressing to people, a different expectation, a higher level of personal responsibility. And frankly, holding others to that higher expectation often appears “mean”. So how do we actively hold people to a proper standard? What is the opposite of nice without being seen as witchy? Let’s talk about it.  “Nice doesn’t win the day. That nice compromises you as a leader, it compromises respect, and frankly, it compromises the growth and potential of your company.” – Kris Plachy  What You’ll Learn    Why direct women are considered mean     Our supposed job Boomerang effect of being nice Intentional kindness What leadership actually is Intimidating women True love in leadership  Contact Info and Recommended Resources  LEAD FOR WOMEN: Registration is open (currently there is a waitlist). LEAD FOR WOMEN is THE curated Leadership Development, Training AND Advisement program for Elite Visionary Women seeking to upgrade their skills leading, managing, communicating with, and inspiring the people you pay to achieve results in your business. Private Subscriber List: Sign up to get preview invitations at thevisionary.ceo/lead. (Opting to be added to the LEAD waitlist on this page will add you to the Private Subscriber List.) The Moxy Sage: Join with a paid subscription to hear more about this topic and others. Kris shares more in depth content every week and hosts a private podcast.  Hawaii Retreat with Kris: September 22-25, 2023. A few spots are still available. This retreat is open to all women. See all the details and register at krisplachy.com/hawaii.  Get a FREE Month of Coaching on your Business Edit. Go to thevisionary.ceo/theedit to access everything and learn more.  Connect with Kris Plachy  CEO Boutique: Digital Clinics offered by Kris Plachy: Essential Practices for Women Who Lead + the Advisory Hotline + Kickstart. Shop what’s available, including Kickstart Team Ops, Team Audits, Dealing with Difficult People and much more! You can help me make a difference in the lives of other women (and men, too). Please take a few moments to submit a review of Leadership Is Feminine to your favorite podcast platform (or two). It really does help boost the recommendation frequency to reach new listeners. THANK YOU so much.   Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify | Google Podcasts    Websites:  TheVisionary.ceo The Moxy Sage How to CEO (krisplachy.com) Email: hello@krisplachy.com Linkedin Instagram Facebook Pinterest Medium 

Why Women Leaders Need to Stop Being Nice | E120

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.

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In today's episode, we dive deep into the realm of people-pleasing, a topic that many of us can relate to. Host, Kris Plachy, self-proclaimed people-pleaser, shares personal insights and experiences, detailing the good, the bad, and the complexities that come with constant people-pleasing. As leaders, we may often find ourselves bending over backwards to accommodate everyone's needs and avoid conflict. Kris asserts that while this can be a nurturing trait, it often also means ignoring the core needs of our business and, more importantly, ourselves. She warns of the perils of slipping into the people-pleasing vortex and the challenges that come with emerging from it. But it isn't all doom and gloom. Kris also discusses the hidden strength in being a people-pleaser. The ability to empathize deeply, foresee potential conflicts, and manage tricky situations are all part of this power. But, as we know, even superpowers require balance and our host dives into ways we can harness our people-pleasing tactfully without compromising integrity. We don't shy away from the tough stuff either. Kris talks about confronting underperformance without blame, the impact of psychological safety in an environment, and the concept of feeling unsafe in certain relationships. Leaders, Kris insists, need to employ grace while holding people accountable, creating a win-win for all. Tune in to this thoughtful episode of Leadership is Feminine with Kris Plachy, and discover how to transform your people-pleasing into stratospheric leadership skills.  "The world doesn't end when we say no, and ironically, it might just start."  Key Takeaways From This Episode   People Pleasing in Leadership: Acknowledgment of the prevalence of people-pleasing in leadership roles   The Strengths and Weaknesses of People Pleasing: The concept of people-pleasing as both a superpower and a poison   The Impact of People Pleasing on Decision Making: The necessity of prioritizing business needs over individual desires   The Fear of Addressing Poor Performance Due to Potential Negative Reactions: The art of giving feedback gracefully without blame or anger   The Importance of Acknowledging and Addressing One's Feelings: The necessity of learning to say no   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 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 

People Pleasing Leaders | E159

This week on Leadership is Feminine, we're diving deep into a subject matter that isn't often discussed - the emotional toll of pet bereavement, and how that affects our businesses. Our guest, Erika Sinner, shares her personal journey of dealing with the loss of her beloved pets and how this sparked her to author a book, Pets Are Family. This episode unravels the societal discomfort around discussing pet grief and the need for empathy-driven leadership to manage such situations. Erika talks about moving beyond traditional norms and choosing to be a dog parent with her husband to four beloved shar pei dogs. She shares her journey of health issues and loss she has experienced with her dogs. And it is through these experiences that she saw the need for pet bereavement leave and which also gave her a new perspective to see the emotional dynamics prevalent in our work cultures. Kris Plachy emphasizes the importance of clear agreements and expectations within organizations, alongside acknowledging and validating employees' emotions. They touch on the significant productivity cost of unmanaged grief and stress the need for larger corporations to understand and accommodate employees' emotional needs. Channeling their experiences into thought-provoking discussions on empathy, authenticity and feminine leadership, both Kris and Erika agree that nurturing emotional intelligence in the workplace can result in a healthier work environment. This episode is a call to action for anyone in a leadership role to foster a more understanding, compassionate and emotionally intelligent workspace. It's a candid conversation you won't want to miss!  "When we allow our inner wisdom to guide us and dare to pursue our dreams, we embody the power of living an authentically empathetic life, which in turn, inspires others,” – Erika Sinner.  Key Takeaways From This Episode   Introduction to Erika Sinner: CEO of Directorie and author of Pets Are Family   Advocacy for pet bereavement leave in the U.S: Emphasis on validating feelings and understanding the impact of pet loss   Need for clarity regarding values and expectations: The balance between understanding and business requirements   Employee Appreciation and Performance: Showing appreciation for employees, while also holding them accountable   Impact of Pet Grief: Advocacy for understanding and supporting those experiencing pet grief   Emphasizing the Unique Leadership Qualities of Women: The unique leadership attributes that women bring   Guest Bio Erika Sinner is a CEO, a compassionate advocate, and the guiding force behind Directorie™, a company dedicated to propelling life science organizations forward in bringing vital products to market. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Erika's innovative spirit has fostered successful teams and elevated brands within the pharmaceutical industry. Erika's unwavering commitment to reimagining possibilities extends far beyond the boardroom; she's a woman of action, unafraid to confront societal gaps head-on. Her determination to foster empathetic solutions shines in both her professional and personal life. Erika stands not only as an exceptional CEO but also a devoted wife, a passionate lover of animals, and leading organizations with compassion. Learn More at PetsAreFamily.info 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 

The Power of Empathetic Leadership with Pets Are Family Author, Erika Sinner | E158

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 

How to Say What Needs to Be Said | E157

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 

The Best Question for Leaders to Ask | E156

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 

Why Women Leaders Need to Stop Being Nice | E120

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