Hey lovely leader, let’s get real for a minute. Have you ever noticed how, somewhere along the way, we were taught that being emotional was a weakness? That in order to be successful, we had to suppress our natural instincts—our empathy, our intuition, our emotional intelligence—and trade them in for a more “masculine” version of leadership?

It’s time we talk about why that’s not working—and how embracing your emotional intelligence, the feminine way, can be your ultimate superpower.

How We Were Taught to Suppress Our Feminine Emotional Intelligence

Growing up and moving through the workplace, there’s been this constant message, sometimes loud, sometimes subtle, that to lead, we had to do it their way—the masculine way. We’ve been told that emotions have no place in leadership, that empathy can cloud judgment, and that being compassionate makes us “too soft.”

Slowly, we’ve internalized those messages. We’ve learned to suppress our emotions in favor of logic, to prioritize productivity over connection, and to harden ourselves to fit into a system that was never designed for us.

Our natural feminine strengths—our empathy, our ability to connect deeply with others, our intuition—were pushed down in favor of more “acceptable” masculine traits like detachment, control, and rigid structure.

Here’s the truth: The more we suppress our emotions and try to lead in a way that doesn’t honor our feminine energy, the more disconnected we become from ourselves. And when we’re disconnected from ourselves, we lose the very things that make us powerful leaders.

How Feminine Emotional Intelligence is Your Secret Weapon in Leadership

So, how do we start reclaiming what’s been lost? How do we lean back into our feminine emotional intelligence and use it to be stronger, more effective leaders?

Here’s how to tap back into your emotional intelligence so you can transform your leadership—and your life.

1. Embrace Your Intuition: One of the most powerful aspects of feminine emotional intelligence is our ability to trust our intuition. Yet, in traditional workplaces, intuition is often dismissed as “unreliable.” But here’s the thing: your gut feeling, that inner knowing, is often more accurate than all the data in the world. It’s time to start trusting yourself again, and letting your intuition guide your leadership decisions.

2. Use Empathy as a Leadership Tool: We’ve been told that empathy makes us “too soft,” but the truth is, it’s a superpower that creates genuine connection. By understanding what your team needs emotionally, you can lead them more effectively. Empathy fosters loyalty, boosts morale, and creates a work environment where people actually want to show up and contribute.

3. Redefine Vulnerability as Strength: Vulnerability gets a bad rap, especially in corporate settings. But when we lead with vulnerability, we show that it’s okay to be human. We give others permission to be human too. This kind of openness creates psychological safety, where people feel valued for who they are, not just what they can produce.

4. Practice Self-Compassion and Self-Forgiveness: This is where self-awareness and self-forgiveness come in. A feminine leader recognizes that mistakes will happen, and that perfection is not the goal—progress is. When you practice self-compassion, you show your team that it’s okay to learn, grow, and evolve without fear of failure. This not only makes you more resilient, but it also builds a culture of growth within your team.

Reclaiming Emotional Intelligence is Reclaiming Your Power

Here’s what I want you to know: Emotional intelligence isn’t just about being a better leader at work—it’s about reconnecting with yourself. It’s about reclaiming the feminine qualities that have been pushed aside for so long.

The more you tap into your emotional intelligence, the more you step into your true power, leading with heart, intuition, and authenticity.

Let’s be real: the old ways of leading aren’t working. We don’t need more detached, controlling, fear-driven leadership.

What we need—what the world needs—are leaders like you, who aren’t afraid to lead with compassion, vulnerability, and empathy. Leaders who are deeply connected to themselves, and through that connection, lead others to success.

Final Note:
Feminine Emotional Intelligence isn’t something to hide or suppress. It’s the key to unlocking your most powerful, authentic leadership. So the next time you feel like you’re “too emotional” or “too soft,” remember: those are your superpowers. Let’s reclaim them together!

xo, Lindsey