Redefining Feminism for Today's Leaders

There are more women senior executives than ever. Woman-owned/women-led businesses remain one of the fastest-growing segments. Gender equality and diversity in the workplace are increasing requirements. 

So feminism won, right? 

We can now move on to more pressing issues like income inequality, technological advancements, or other social issues, right? 

Well…no quiet yet.

The world will never be so equal that it doesn’t need feminism. 

First, the idea that feminism is no longer needed is a very limited and geo-centric view. From a global perspective, many countries still have a lot of work to do to codify and protect women’s rights. Further, there has been an alarming increase in anti-woman laws and policies in this so-called developed country.

If you hold the view that feminism is no longer necessary and maybe even perceive it as harmful, it is either because you have privileges and powers that are threatened by any form of ideology that supports human equity or you have a misconception about what feminism truly stands for. 

In the conversations I have with business leaders (especially with men), both options often hold true. There is a prevailing belief that feminism seeks to elevate women above men rather than achieve equality. There's also the misconception that feminism is solely about advancing the interests of women to the detriment of men when, in reality, the broader goal of feminism is to dismantle patriarchal systems and all forms of oppressive and discriminating power dynamics that oppress both men and women.

So, maybe it is time for today’s leaders to redefine feminism.

Without feminism, we will remain in the long shadow of patriarchy, white supremacy, and greed; the primary driving forces behind the systems that have informed our current leadership paradigm, especially in business.

Let’s break those elements down from an organizational perspective…

Patriarchy is an outdated playbook in which leadership traits are stamped with a "for men only" label. Being assertive and decisive is seen as masculine. So, women and non-binary folks trying to climb the leadership ladder face an uphill battle against these old-school norms. And don't get me started on those top-down, boss-knows-best structures. They're like relics from when men held all the cards, leaving women struggling to make their voices heard.

White supremacy is now less about outright discrimination and more about favoring one culture over others. Eurocentric values and communication styles? They're the gold standard in many leadership circles, leaving non-white leaders feeling like they're always on the outside looking in. And diversity initiatives? Sometimes, they're just lip service, not genuine efforts to break down these ingrained biases. It's like trying to build a diverse team with one token hire and calling it a day.

Let’s talk about corporate greed, the kind of capitalism that puts profits above everything else. Business leaders chasing that bottom line can end up trampling over social and environmental concerns. It's all about the money, baby, even if it means sacrificing long-term sustainability or ethical principles. And in this dog-eat-dog world, it's every leader for themselves. Collaboration and collective well-being? They take a back seat to individual success and cutthroat competition.

Feminist-informed leadership is essential for eradicating the influence of these forces; creating equity-based transformation in our organizations and building a more just society. However, achieving these goals will not happen if we continue to focus on doing good things within the system. To truly achieve equity-based transformation, we need to change the damn system. As Audrey Lorde said:

“The master’s tool will never dismantle the master’s house.” 

Changing the damn system requires what I refer to as Systemic Feminism.

What is Systemic Feminism?

Imagine feminism cranked up to the next level – that's what systemic feminism is all about. It's not just about leveling the playing field between men and women; it's about reshaping the entire system to ensure justice for everyone and everything, including our planet.

Let's talk about gender equality. Systemic feminism doesn't just want women to have the same opportunities as men – it wants to smash through all the barriers that hold any gender and all marginalized communities back. Whether it's equal pay, breaking down stereotypes, or fighting against discrimination in all its forms, systemic feminism is all about tearing down those walls.

But here's where it gets really interesting – systemic feminism isn't just about people. It's about the whole planet. It recognizes that our actions have consequences, and it's not just humans who suffer from injustice. Think about environmental issues – climate change, pollution, deforestation – these are all feminist issues too because they disproportionately affect women and marginalized communities around the world.

So, when we talk about systemic feminism, we're not just talking about marching in the streets or shouting slogans (though those are important too). We're talking about changing the way we think, the way we do business, and the way we interact with each other and with our environment.

Let's take a concrete example: sustainable manufacturing. Systemic feminism doesn't just want fair wages for manufactory workers (though that's crucial). It also wants to overhaul the entire manufacturing industry to make it more environmentally friendly – from using sustainable materials to reducing waste and pollution. And guess what? That's not just good for the planet; it's good for everyone involved, from the factory workers to the consumers.

Another industry that would benefit from having a systemic feminist approach is the tech industry. In tech, systemic feminism isn't just about getting more women, BIPOC people, and people from the LGBTQ+ community into coding jobs (though that's part of it). It's about challenging the entire culture of the industry, which has often been dominated by men and plagued by issues like sexism, harassment, and lack of diversity. It is not only about hiring more people from underrepresented groups but also creating an environment where they feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. 

But it goes beyond just the workplace dynamics. Systemic feminism in tech also looks at the products and services companies develop and how they impact different groups. For example, tech products often reflect the biases and perspectives of their creators, which can result in products that are not inclusive or accessible to everyone. Systemic feminism advocates for designing products with diversity and inclusivity in mind, considering the needs and experiences of all users.

Take, for instance, the development of voice recognition technology. Historically, these systems have struggled to accurately recognize voices with accents, particularly those of immigrants and people of color - I can tell you by experience that I have to edit my Alexa shopping list every time I plan to go grocery shopping to make sure I buy “crispy green” (the lettuce) instead of crispy creme (the donuts) - a big difference for my health!  Systemic feminism would push for more inclusive design practices that ensure voice recognition systems work effectively for all users, regardless of gender, race, or origin.

Furthermore, systemic feminism in tech also addresses broader ethical issues, such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. For example, facial recognition technology has been criticized for its potential to infringe on privacy rights and disproportionately misidentify individuals from marginalized communities. Systemic feminism calls for ethical guidelines and regulations to ensure that technology is developed and deployed in a way that respects human rights and promotes justice for all.

By challenging the status quo and advocating for inclusive, ethical practices, systemic feminism can help transform the tech industry into a more equitable and sustainable space for everyone. It's not just about breaking glass ceilings; it's about reshaping the entire landscape to benefit all individuals and society.

And hey, it's not about sacrificing progress, profit, or growth either. In fact, systemic feminism argues that true progress can only happen when everyone is included and when we're taking care of our planet for future generations. It's a win-win situation.

So, if you're all about equality, justice, and sustainability – and let's be real, who isn't? – then maybe it's time to jump on the systemic feminism train. Because when we lift everyone up, when we fight for justice for all, that's when we truly start making a difference.

Where do we start?

As I said, doing good things within the system is not enough. Creating DEI programs, promoting more women to leadership positions, making decision-making processes more inclusive, and fostering fairness will make some difference. But without deeply understanding the complexities of power structures and dynamics and without changing the patterns of interactions of all the system elements, it will not shake the system at its core.

Furthermore, trying to shake the system without truly understanding what keeps a system in place, without doing the inner work of freeing our mind from internalized oppression, limiting beliefs and unmanaged emotions, and without having the right leadership skills to engage and holistically transform the whole system, will lead to setting ourselves up for frustration and even failure.

That is the main objective of my executive coaching program, The Intersectional Leader; a radical new leadership paradigm that combines three unique elements essential for leading profound systemic change: systemic feminism, neuroscience, and complexity science. 

By learning the principles and skills behind them, Intersectional leaders create more inclusive, conscious, and adaptive organizational cultures without sacrificing profitability and growth. 

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Are you a conscious woman leader? Do you feel called to take on equity-based transformation in your organization? I invite you to check out my Intersectional Leader Immersive. The next public one is May 16 - 18 in Austin and I also offer sponsored immersives for select organizations and groups.