Feminist Leadership in Action: The Womankind Worldwide Story

Organisations are increasingly recognising that traditional leadership approaches often fall short in creating truly inclusive and equitable environments. Feminist leadership represents a paradigm shift from conventional leadership models. It emphasises collective power over individual authority, prioritises inclusive decision-making, and actively works to dismantle hierarchical structures that can perpetuate inequality. For organisations like Womankind Worldwide, whose mission centers on advancing women’s rights and gender equality globally, developing such leadership capabilities isn’t merely about improving management effectiveness—it’s about creating coherence between their external mission and internal practices.

The workplace is where many societal power dynamics play out daily, often unconsciously. Traditional management approaches can inadvertently reinforce these dynamics, even in organisations committed to social change. This is why leadership development with a feminist lens is crucial. It helps managers recognise and transform these patterns, creating spaces where all team members can truly thrive.

The Journey with Womankind Worldwide

Understanding this context, Womankind Worldwide partnered with TCM to develop a comprehensive leadership programme with Engage Leadership’s Leadership Bootcamp that would align their internal practices with their feminist values. The organisation recognised that their line managers needed more than just standard management training—they needed tools and approaches that would help them champion cultural transformation.

The programme addressed fundamental aspects of leadership while consistently connecting these to feminist principles. Managers explored how to handle conflict in ways that prioritise accountability over blame, how to implement policies with fairness and consistency, and how to facilitate conversations that promote genuine dialogue and growth.

What made this work particularly impactful was its practical nature. As one participant reflected: “We have loved our leadership training with TCM. Laura May was the perfect facilitator for our journey to creating liberating structures within a feminist leadership model! We have learnt more than we anticipated and had to think beyond the realms of our day to day to challenge the ways in which we can create the organisation we want to be a part of.”

Key areas of focus included:

• Conflict management with an emphasis on accountability over blame
• Strategic HR policy implementation
• Quality conversation techniques
• Process management through Culture Catalysts™
• Advanced coaching and questioning skills
• Collaborative mediation approaches

The training particularly resonated in areas of challenging conversations and non-violent communication—essential skills for creating psychological safety and fostering genuine accountability. These capabilities are crucial in organisations striving to embody feminist principles, where difficult conversations need to happen with both courage and compassion.

Impact and Cultural Transformation

The impact of this work extends far beyond the immediate skill development of individual managers. By equipping leaders with both practical tools and deeper understanding of feminist leadership principles, the programme has catalysed a broader cultural transformation at Womankind Worldwide.

Key outcomes included:

• Enhanced confidence in handling challenging conversations
• Improved understanding of non-violent communication techniques
• Stronger alignment between leadership practices and organisational values
• Greater clarity on culture change processes
• Increased capability in policy implementation

Participants now approach their leadership roles with greater confidence and clarity, understanding how their day-to-day decisions and behaviours contribute to the larger goal of creating an equitable and inclusive workplace. As noted in the feedback, “Culture change is a journey and kicking off this process with TCM has helped solidify our ways of thinking!”

Looking Forward

This work with Womankind Worldwide demonstrates that meaningful organisational change requires more than just policy updates or traditional management training. It demands a thoughtful approach that combines practical skill development with deeper reflection on power, leadership, and organisational culture.

Their experience offers valuable insights for other organisations seeking to create more equitable and inclusive workplaces through feminist leadership approaches.

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