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Traditionally, femininity has been associated with the family and the private sphere whereas masculinity reigned supreme in the world of business. As such, it’s little surprise that many women entrepreneurs turn to their masculine characteristics when conducting business — this includes exerting dominance over others and focusing on immediate returns rather than the bigger picture.
In a changing world, exhibiting masculine behavior in business may no longer be all it’s cracked up to be — and it certainly doesn’t guarantee success. Instead, a new breed of business leaders is emerging. And these entrepreneurs are not afraid to show their feminine side, readily expressing their commitment to their employees and clients.
One leader on the edge of this movement who has put a lot of time into balancing her feminine and masculine energies is Melisa Keenan. As the CEO and Intimacy Expert at Melisa Keenan, she now helps others achieve business success by accessing their inner yin or feminine side. “There is a polarity that exists inside every person. Each of us has yin and yang energy and different expressions of that yin and yang energy. This affects the magnetism around us,” Melisa explains.
“Our society heralds masculine energy; doing, performing, hustling, working, achieving, accomplishing, order, structure, quantity over quality, goals, and focused plans. This has resulted in many women being out of balance with their masculine/yang energy and never even feeling permission to bring forward and get to know their feminine energy,” Melisa continues. “Feminine energy is the being, sensing, flowing, ease, focus on quality over quantity, spaces in between, vision, dream, and creativity.”
Getting to Know Your Inner Self
Melisa knows firsthand the destructive effects of relying too much on masculine or yang energy both in relationships and business. “In the past, my husband and I made many failed business attempts together because I was always trying to control him and control the outcome and it was either all or nothing for me with these businesses,” she says. “I was living in a continual state of fear. I felt that if things wouldn’t go my way, I wouldn’t survive.”
Struggling with three children in diapers and multiple failed business attempts, Melisa’s marriage crumbled underneath her feet as she and her husband separated. It was the wake-up call that had her searching for an entirely new approach to life and it wasn’t long before she stumbled across the teachings of feminine energy. Through shedding the old skin of masculine energy and embracing an entirely new paradigm, her marriage was restored to something beyond her wildest dreams. But to her surprise, the work she did there also made all the difference in her family’s business endeavors.
“When I first heard of feminine energy, I hated the idea. I thought it was just another box that the world was trying to shove me into. But then I realized, it wasn’t about being somebody that I am not. It was inviting my true self to come out,” Melisa says. “This let me release all the things that I had allowed to weigh me down for so long, to release the control of things I have no control over, and focus on what is within my control, which is my own happiness, pleasure, peace, and wellbeing.”
Bringing the Feminine into the Boardroom
According to Melisa, every high-level business owner knows that their perceived success means little without strong, intimate relationships by their side. After all, employees who feel a reciprocal connection with their employer value and respect you are much more likely to innovate and go the extra mile to ensure that your business thrives. “Masculine energy is focused on doing. Feminine energy is focused on being,” Melisa explains. “If you want to be valued for more than just what you can do for people, you have to make space at the table for your feminine energy, for the parts of you that haven’t had permission to come forward.”
The masculine top-down approach to leadership no longer works. This is because many employees are no longer willing to put up with the, “because I said so” approach from their bosses. And if they are, it’s only a matter of time before they will be out the door. In the long-term, it’s the businesses managed by connected leaders who nurture the creativity of their employees and allow them more autonomy that withstand the test of time. “Not only is this better for company culture but it frees up time and releases some of the mental load for the business owner. And this can enhance not just the business but also your personal relationships,” Melisa says.
Mindset work is the most common go-to tool when it comes to personal development for business owners. But Melisa supports a different approach. “Mindset work is all masculine energy and can actually leave us feeling more disconnected from ourselves and others,” Melisa says. “Intimacy is our key to the feminine. It is into-me-see. Striving to change your thinking is only a part of the equation. To truly access the soul-level fulfillment that feminine energy brings in both personal and professional spheres, you have to understand yourself from the neck down. The sensations, emotions, and gut feelings that are literally doing everything possible to point you in the direction to success and fulfillment.”
Shifting the Status Quo
Masculine management culture is not only stressful for leaders but also stifles creativity and ultimately can lead to the downfall of your venture. Bringing feminine energy into the workplace, on the other hand, promotes the kind of inclusiveness that can benefit both business owners and their employees.
Drawing on her own personal experience and years of training and supporting entrepreneurs, today Melisa helps others access their feminine energy to expand their personal and professional relationships. “It’s about supporting individuals who want to heal their relationships, connection, and trust, while also expanding in their business and impact,” she says. “It’s about releasing the masculine energy paradigm and carving your own beautiful path toward your most fulfilled life.”
