During an interview for Al Jazeera News Agency the woman interviewing me challenged my description of feminine values. The interview was in response to the American Express report on the 2014 State of Women Owned Businesses.
I took the opportunity to direct our conversation away from the growing and high number of women starting businesses and focus instead on how women have the opportunity to change the culture of business.
Feminine Values in Business
As I mentioned in a recent blog women bring feminine values of collaboration, cooperation, support and a sense of family to her business and in this way we are changing how businesses view themselves. The interviewer was clearly confused by this. Her experience, in her industry , is that women are in fierce competition, self-centered, self-promoting, etc. I agreed with her. Women can be very competitive in positive and not so positive ways.
Competition
And still I stand by feminine values that foster cooperation, collaboration, compassion, fairness, etc. Women who find themselves operating from male values will show attributes such as, compete at any cost, and step on any toes, important to be at the top and to be better than anyone else. No matter what we think this does not create the lifestyle that fits women. That is not to say that women are not competitive. We certainly are. Competition can be very productive, create positive change and come from feminine values.
Creativity and Competition
It is interesting to note that statistics tell us that the most successful women are in their 40s to 50s and have two children. At this point in their lives they have grown in their understanding of life, work and what is important to them. The 20s to 30s women are highly energized by the creative energy of their female bodies. This female creative energy is high and a natural vibration designed to create life. Women use this creative energy to create relationships, jobs, businesses, etc. At this young, exploring and learning stage of a woman’s life most of what she does is driven by this female creative energy that strives for perfection, finding a partner and creating a family. It is instinctual. Female competition is strongest at this time. The whole of life perspective is not as evident.
Madeline Says
Madeline Albright is quoted as saying; “There is a special place in hell for women who do not support other women.” A harsh statement that is meant to grab our attention and remind us that it is in our nature to support each other.
Feminine Competition
A woman being competitive does not need to have any negative overtones. Competition to a female is naturally about achievement, accelerating, being her best, etc. These are feminine values as well. A women operating from her internal sense of self and driven to bring all of that outward into the world is a powerful, competitive and compassionate woman. She uses competition as a way to move forward not to run over someone or something.
We are learning to embrace our feminine values as we have looked through a male lens for a very long time. Take the time to meditate to be sure you are seeing through the lens of your feminine values.
Best wishes on your success, Kay