Embracing the Matriarchal Model of Leadership
How many times have you heard SOME version of the “lean in” model of leadership?
Women should speak up more. Women should ask for more money. Women should be more assertive.
But why aren’t men told to listen more, to be more thoughtful in their approach to resource generation, or to be more humble?
Even though it’s possible to adapt to more masculine ways of doing business, embracing some of the more typically “feminine” traits in business can open up radically new ways of meeting goals and building community.
Perhaps no one embodies the matriarchal approach to business more than Martha Shaughnessy from The Key PR.
With a mama lion as her emblem, Martha leads The Key PR with a matriarchal approach, emphasizing collaboration, co-creation, and, most importantly, empathy. At the heart of her leadership philosophy lies the understanding that businesses, especially those operating in the communication and tech spaces, can tremendously benefit from embracing more feminine leadership qualities. These include nurturing talent, fostering a culture of mutual respect, and valuing each member's unique contributions.
Creating a matriarchal environment also means the staff at The Key don’t have to worry about coworkers commenting on whether they’re wearing high heels, how their hair is done, or what schools they went to. They don’t have to worry about male colleagues insinuating their attractiveness can “seal the deal” on a specific contract. They aren’t pressured to use their energy proving they have a right to be in the room. These sexist microaggressions don’t seem extreme when viewed in a vacuum, but put together they add up to an environment that constantly reminds women that this culture was not built with them in mind.
Martha's leadership is also anchored in protecting her team, akin to the fierce determination of a mama lion. This protective stance is about shielding the team from external pressures and cultivating an environment where creativity, risk-taking, and collective success are celebrated. This reorientation isn’t easy; even for the most accomplished leader, it can take time to rewire the brain to combat the desire to treat other women as collaborators instead of competitors. To balance caregiving with deadlines. To combat accusations of being either “too soft” or “too hard.”
Just as a mama lion will correct misbehavior swiftly but gently, so too must women leaders effectively balance care and compassion with clarity of roles and goals. But recognizing the humanity of your team, and your OWN humanity, while supporting everyone to reach their full potential is not just possible– it will be required as the world continues to swirl around us in new and surprising ways.
Be sure to listen to the Finding Fearless podcast interview with Martha for even more words of wisdom on building a matriarchal work culture!
