Why Balance, Not Bias, Drives Business Success

When Mark Zuckerberg recently declared that companies need more "masculine energy," many of us raised our eyebrows so high they left the Zoom frame. And honestly, who could blame us? In classic Zuck fashion, this statement felt like a glitch in the matrix—a reminder that outdated stereotypes are still alive and well (even in the metaverse).

What Zuckerberg missed is this: masculinity and femininity have nothing to do with gender. Women and men alike can embody both energies, and the true key to success lies in knowing how to balance these forces — not in making it a weird, gendered thing.

(P.S. is this what he meant by masculine energy!? 🤣)

What Does Masculine and Feminine Energy Really Mean?

Before you start imagining office workers sword-fighting over “masculine energy,” let’s break it down.

• Masculine energy is all about decisiveness, action, focus, and structure. It’s the power behind getting stuff done, hitting KPIs, and building that five-year plan you’ll probably revisit once a year.

• Feminine energy, on the other hand, thrives in creativity, intuition, empathy, and adaptability. It’s the secret weapon for brainstorming big ideas, and connecting with your customers.

Both energies are essential for individuals and businesses. Successful companies don’t pick a side — they channel both energies like they’re running a hybrid car. (And no, Zuck, we’re not asking if you’ve designed a Meta version of one yet.)

Why Tying Energy to Gender Is a One-Way Ticket to Nowhere

Equating masculine energy with men and feminine energy with women is like saying only Zuckerberg can make the metaverse happen. It’s just not true (and we’re all still trying to figure out what the metaverse even is).

• Women can crush it with decisive, action-driven leadership.

• Men can absolutely lead with empathy and creativity.

So instead of shoehorning people into roles based on gender stereotypes, how about we focus on the unique strengths everyone brings to the table?

Balancing Energies at Every Stage of Business

Here’s where it gets interesting: different stages of business require different energy balances. It’s like picking the right playlist for your workout — you wouldn’t blast a slow ballad during sprints (unless you're into that, no judgment).

• Startups: All systems go! You need masculine energy to execute fast, set goals, and hustle.

• Scaling companies: Time to get creative. Feminine energy helps foster innovation, collaboration, and those “aha” moments.

• Mature organizations: It’s a dance. Balance the structure of masculine energy with the adaptability of feminine energy to keep up with an ever-changing market.

In other words, successful companies adapt their energy mix depending on what’s needed - not on some overly simplistic framework involving “more masculine energy.”

Why Assessments Are Your New Best Friend

Businesses need to know their energy dynamics. Are you leaning too hard into one side? Are your decision-making or collaboration styles out of whack? This is where assessments come in to save the day (and maybe your next board meeting).

By understanding your team’s energy balance, you can:

• Identify blind spots in leadership and teamwork.

• Adjust strategies to suit your current phase of growth.

• Build a well-rounded team that’s ready for anything.

Because spoiler alert: what works in the scrappy startup phase won’t necessarily work when you’re scaling to unicorn status or trying to make the metaverse happen.

The Real Takeaway (Sorry, Zuck)

Mark Zuckerberg’s “masculine energy” comment might’ve been an attempt to highlight certain traits, but it completely missed the mark. Not only was it biased, but it also came across as distasteful, reinforcing outdated stereotypes instead of fostering a more inclusive and balanced perspective. Comments like these underscore the need for leaders to communicate thoughtfully and consciously, especially when addressing topics that shape perceptions of leadership and workplace dynamics.

Businesses don’t need more masculine or feminine energy — they need the right balance of both. And let's not forget, it has absolutely nothing to do with gender and assumptions should not be made that way.

Want to know your team’s energy balance and how to maximize it?

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