I think that business practices would improve immeasurably if they were guided by ‘feminine’ principles—qualities like love, care and intuition. – Anita Roddick
We all know that the economy could do with a boost, but how?
Perhaps a feminine touch will help to sustain business in the 21st Century.
Enabling a revolutionary approach to doing business in the global economy is of strategic importance to most senior managers and leaders, particularly those belonging to the diversity and talent management departments. A more feminine approach is the order of the day according to some of the most influential women and men across the globe. The message is clear women can enable the level of growth needed in this globalized and interconnected economy.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) states that in 2009 60% of graduates in the OECD area were female. Predicting that by 2025 there could be as many as 70% of females graduating from University. The OECD countries like the UK, USA, and Australia could have an abundance of talented and capable females ready to contribute. Yet at present females are consistently and persistently under-represented and under-utilized in business.
In Julie Meyer’s book, she states that those men of the over 50 persuasions with daughters should be canvassing on their behalf and ‘raising confident daughters who demand respect.’
Julie says that men can also display feminine characteristics particularly those within the Gen Y cohort. But how do we achieve a feminine economy now, in the present, in the midst of the baby boomers nearing retirement and the transition into the next generation of managers and leaders?
The next five to ten years is set to be an interesting landscape for organizational learning and development. Many asking: how can we operate and do business in the feminine economy?