If you, like me, are fortunate to have a strong female mentor in your life you no doubt not only enjoy listening to their advice on life and how to achieve your goals, but also the stories on how they achieved theirs. While I like to learn from a person’s success, I’m keenly aware that there’s steps to get there, and stumbles too. It’s the journey that I find the most interesting about my mentors.
In her blog post, Becoming Athena, one of my mentors Betty Ann Heggie shares a story about her own path to success back in the 80’s. At a event for a large company where she was working as a sales meeting and event planner, a speaker who did a personality test used hers as an example.
“Look out boys, she wants your office,” the speaker jovially said. Later, those same boys joked with Betty Ann about the results, believing that she was a harmless underling in a male-dominated industry. Four years later Betty Ann was the vice-president in the head office – yes, with those same men working under her leadership!
The post further examines our bias when it comes to assessing male and female characteristics and what it means to be strong, efficient or nuturing. Betty Ann further explains that knowing about this bias is essential in helping us determine what characteristics to display for a job interview for example.
Societal bias perceives that those with masculine traits are good leaders and will get the job done, so women need to exhibit masculine attributes to be hired and promoted. However, society also has a bias that women should be nurturing and care for others. Those who operate with solely masculine traits might have accomplishments but such women aren’t accepted and most often labeled with the ‘B’ word. Thus, women need to be both.
What has your experience been? Have you ever tapped into your masculine or feminine energy to get the results you needed? We all have – I think recognizing that is the powerful part (harnessing the super-power so to speak!) Take some time to read Betty Ann Heggie’s full post, and then enter our monthly contest below to win $100 to put towards rewarding yourself for a job well done, or for preparing for the next step in the job you’re working towards!
I’ve tapped into my “feminine energy” of being caring and nurturing to follow a certain career path that when I was working was successful for me.
When I was working, I had to be strong, working with all men in a meat plant, I had to use my voice to get my side heard and I’m very shy so I was pretty proud of myself!
When I was much younger. I had to use feminine energy to start and grow my own business. It was a long time ago, but it definitely took more from me than I was used to.
I remember in my late teens I worked in a manufacturing plant with few women but mostly men..by the time I quit the job I was the one that the supervisor came to to work more hours.
nope not used one energy more than another
I utilized my “male energy” at work years ago when dealing with an ‘old boys’ club’ who thought i shouldn’t have gotten a promotion over a man. By using this type of energy when I intereacted with them I found very positive results!
I use my female energy often to get things done that I need done.
I believe it really depends! When i was working I think i tapped more into my male energy but now being at home with my kidlets I rarely do anymore
I have used my male energy when ever I needed extra strength when fixing things.
I tapped into my “feminine energy” when I quit my job and decided to stay home with my kids. I’ve always been more of a tomboy type, I play video games and had mostly male friends. Since becoming a stay at home mother I’ve learned to embrace rather than reject my feminine side.
Ive learned to use more male energy and speak up for myself when I would normally be too afraid to
I am trying to be more assertive to speak up for myself, yet doing it in a postiive manner.
I’ve had to use my male energy sometimes when I just had to push through and do things that felt challenging.
i find it hard to tap into my masculine energy when going to intervies and i think it has worked againstme.
In a world where I deal with a lot of men I sometimes feel like I need to act like one to get my point accross. Thanks for the read.
I don’t think I have ever had very strong “masculine energy” .. but becoming a mother, and staying at home with my little girl has tapped into a lot more female oriented “energies” which have definitely had a great result. 🙂 I love my life.
Have to use “male” energy to stay afloat in the corporate world; unfortunately my workplace is dominated by “the boys club”.
I’d have to say this applied to me in high school when I felt the need to prove I’m tough and invulnerable.
Used my male energy often workng in a company known as an old boy’s club.
I always try to give my all into everything I do and attribute a lot of my successes and peace of mind to that.
I use my female energy to get my voice hear on female issues
I use more masculine energy in the office to get ahead and heard due to the fact I am in a male dominated field.
I personally try to use a balance of masculine and feminine energy to help me succeed – i actually get the gusto from my mom and the charm from my dad! lol
Yes, in jr high/ high school I was in army cadets and had a higher position and was the only female staff cadet at my corps. Lots of masculine energy, but bringing my own feminine energy set me apart (in a good way) 🙂
I have had to balance male and female energies in my career as when I started out, the field was mainly male. I showed my female, caring side while using tactics to move forward.
I find that almost everywhere, on a day-to-day basis, I have to exhibit one or the other types of energies to get my point across or to feel accepted when speaking to others. With my hubbies friends, I find that I have to exhibit more masculine energy for them to feel comfortable and be open around me and the opposite with my own friends. I don’t have a major example of where I had to use one more than the other, though.
I find that working in male oriented places I definately have to be more firm and speak up
Yep! Certaintly turned on the feminine charms in order to get things done! Especially at home. 😉
I used my masculine energy many time in the workplace over the year. When I started work in the seventies the office was with filled with mostly men. I had to fight to get a promotion.
I ‘ve had to balance male and female energies in my career . But now being on my own I use ale energy to get things done
“Feminine energy” used to develop my dental/Tooth Fairy online presence and was rewarded from my efforts by 2 Certified Dental Assistant Associations!
I tap into my masculine energy whenever I need to ask for something in a business meeting
When I was in the work field, the job I was doing was difficult. we were pushed to the limit and everyone else was afraid to speak up. Well my masculine energy took over one day and about 3 of us got the boss outside at lunch time and I did the talking. I told him we were pulling our weight and the more we did the more that was expected of us so we wanted a raise. Well I got a big raise and the other two girls got a raise too. So it helped to use that energy.
I use my masculine energy when I cannot understand the words coming out of the mouths
In the workplace I use my male energy, but it gets tempered by my female energy in certain situations.
I am sure I use both from time to time but I can’t think of a specific example of where one was more dominant than the other. But it has definitely given me something to think about.
I often tended toward a masculine energy at work, and kind of do in life. I stayed focused and efficient at work and it served me well. Although I don’t know if I like calling efficiency a masculine quality. But my point is, I wasn’t so much a caring customer service person as someone who would get you sorted out quickly without emotion or delay.
I put a lot of energy into maintaining relationships and it pays off.
I have used my “masculine energy” when doing my job (before baby) which was a hard, physical job!
I feel like I use what are perceived to be masculine traits when I am interacting with my staff about business matters, and more feminine traits when we are socializing by the water cooler.
I use my male energy alot, when it comes to being assertive and firm in regards to my home business.
I use my masculine energy side when it comes to getting my assigned tasks completed independently. However, I use my feminine side to initiate and maintain relationships of caring and trust with my coworkers.
have used masculine energy at work when leading a team, and found it worked well to ‘gather the troops’ and get ‘er done!
I use my feminine energy when I’m at home nurturing my garden.
the workplace is about 95% male so I often have to tap into my manly side to do my job 🙂
I have used both masculine and feminine energy 🙂 Right now I think I am leaning towards masculine
I had to balance male and female energies in my career
I use my masculine energy when I need things done around the garden or with my car 🙂
I tap into my feminine energy in my job to approach situations with compassion.
I use my female energy being a mom and it’s worth it
When i worked at an industrial shop with all guys i had to use my masculine energy to have my voice heard and to be able to advocate for myself.
I use my feminine energy more in my life.
I think I used more of my “male energy” before becoming a mom…mostly female energy these days, pretty happy with the results!!!!!
Energy used in maintaining my finances… and the result is so so
I think I used my ‘feminine energy’ to really get a feel of how moms are at school drop off.
Girl Power! 🙂 I had to unleash some masculine energy on my male roommates one time. I told them if they leave that toilet seat up one more time, I’ll make sure they will never be able to stand up to pee again!! LOL jk jk
back in the 80’s when I was about 18-19 yrs old I was asked by my boss if I would like to become their new bartender, I jumped at the chance and he said I was doing a great job but the older male bartender didn’t like it, guess he was worried he was being replace, he wasn’t the nicest man to work with, but i proved myself
Yes, I have!
I used my ‘feminine energy’ at home cleaning
I have had to use masculine powers to get the medical care required for my son too many times. I am leaning way over to the feminine side as my trait, and it was difficult to to this, but it had to be done. And I would and will most likely have to do it again.
I think I am constantly in male energy overdrive….I’m a go-getter, and very assertive. I don’t back down when I see that people I deeply care about are being taken advantage of and getting hurt. I think I channel a lot of that and hopefully it rubs off on others too.
I don’t believe in “male energy” vs. “female energy.” These are sexist stereotypes.
I am fairly balanced between my feminine energy and masculine. When it comes to problem solving I tend to use more of my masculine and look immediately for a solution.
Sometimes in the workplace have to use more energy
I tap into my feminine energy when Im tending to my garden and my children
My energy is consistent.
When I was married, I wasn’t using my male energies as much, because there was a man in the house. But now that I’m a divorced parent, I find I am relying on both male & female energies to balance it out for my kids, who no longer have a father figure. So I am trying my best to be both, and pass both those energies down to them.
I have noticed the need to tap into both types of energies as a parent. I am generally a more nurturing female energy. However if i need to firm or ask questions or stand up for my sons’ health, for example, i tap into my masculine energy.
Yes, every time I plan a wedding!
I worked for an alpha male and 6 alpha male managers. I was always accommodating to their needs but at the same time protective of my EA territory! A co-worker confided in me one day and told me one of the Managers had said I commanded respect. I think that was a compliment?! 🙂
As a manager, you’re always balancing male and female energies in making decisions.
I tap into my masculine energy whenever I can’t open a jar
The most important thing to me is using positive energy, for positive results
I shaved my head once, I think I must of had some masculine energy then to actually go through with it
I tap into my male energy when I garden and paint.
I have used my male energy when ever I needed extra strength to deal with my group leader at work. She wasn’t easy to work with.
I had to use all my energies, many years ago I had my own buisness, I was very young (18) and many suppliers,and other people did not believe I could own and run a buisness. Proved them all wrong!
I tend to use my male energy when I am at work
i’m a guy and wouldn’t recognize what female energy would be
Even BEFORE I read your fine, thoughtful and provocative post ~ I felt my mind light up! Athena the warrior goddess of wisdom ~ always/allways my favorite among Greek gods/goddess (she did have the power to assume either ~ or ANY role or being for that matter.
The wisdom/power and energy of Athena (the Western interpretation of Yin / Yang. Athena is inspirational as the goddess of practical wisdom (agriculture, crafts, artistic skill, wisdom and reasoned intelligence. So in her duel role as warrior goddess of military victory and JUSTICE. She is a protector and enabler of heroes. Unlike her male counterpart (Ares, representing the brutality and violence of the masculine approach to battles and war. She is my idol and in many ways, role model. Thank you.
I put my energy into doing things all the time and when I make up my mind to do something I always get it done!
I use my masculine energy to ignore silly workplace gossip.
I use my male energy at work often
I use my male energy to power through work that needs to be done
I work in a female dominated field. I don’t have to use my male energy.
In my career I deal with many men in positions of power. I find that I use a lot of my male energy when dealing with them.
For good
Yes, I find myself using my male energy for more challenging times and tasks.
I use my feminine energy to multi-task…. that’s the only way to get all my things done.
finish my home reno
I always use both, At home is feminine but at work it has to be male energy to have leadership!
I tap into my masculine energy when I want something and know that I’m going to have to fight for it.
I used my energy when I asked for a raise 🙂
Ive learned to use more male energy and speak up for myself when I would normally be too afraid to
I work in a male dominated work place and use both to get what I want/need
Sometimes you just have to use masculine energy, prove you can do everything they can (and likely better) and others, you play the girl and let them think they are winning
I love using my female energy as that is what I am. I don’t feel myself when i use male energy. I think we need to keep our energies separate in order to work in harmony.
Being a single mother I have often had to use what I call my female strength just to manage the day to day struggle of work, home, and life. I don’t necessarily attribute it to being masculine as society is apt to do, I attribute it to feminine because regardless of what labels society has placed in the masculine or feminine column, female strength is much stronger then masculine strength will ever be. We are the ones who hold it all together while creating the future.
I think I need more practice in recognizing it as I just draw a blank but no doubt I’ve used that energy at some point along the way…..