Financial LEADERSHIP for women~lessons from A trip into corporate patriarchy

Oops.  I did it again.

Isn't that a Britney Spears song?

I gave my power away.   

After getting a degree in Women Studies(!), and working as a creative entrepreneur & coach for women for 25 years, I went and worked in a patriarchal corporate environment.

Was I crazy?  

No.  I am not a victim~I chose this situation both for money and to learn some things...and I did!  I learned a lot that will benefit my real estate career.  But I also saw that a model based on competition will never uplift its lowliest players.

And I was surrounded by high-level players:  developers who are very rich men who have built multiple high-level housing complexes in my local area.  At the beginning, this felt like an extreme HONOR...to be inspired by people who could possibly mentor me to build wealth in real estate!

But as time went along, I realized the limitations of my role for this company.  I had hoped for mentorship.  The male leaders were independently wealthy, and had time & wisdom to uplift others.  However, they were not interested in mentoring me or seeing me become wealthy.  They were only interested in me serving as a technician in the role I was hired for, while continuing to build their own empires.

THIS IS THE PATRIARCHAL CORPORATE MODEL:  Enrich those at the top, while exploiting those at the bottom.  This model is based on scarcity(which is a false assumption), and the desire of low-level workers to need money, and so continue to be willing to work without having any authority or choice.  When the low-level workers express a desire to grow, or have opinions that would help the organization grow, those desires & opinions are quickly squashed.

In addition, most women in the organization are in secretarial or low-level positions.

Even when the owners were breaking their own rules by enabling poor tenant behavior, they shamed me for pointing it out.  They didn't want ANY leadership or opinions on behalf of women that might counter theirs.

But all this patriarchal power is based on a false premise. 

The premise is:  money is limited, time is limited, you must work hard for "the man" in order to get ahead.

Truth is, money is infinite, and our ability to create it is also infinite.  Yes it takes effort to manifest.  But the good news is, the universe will meet you halfway.

As an entrepreneur for many years I noticed that when I took a step towards my goals, I would receive support that was unexpected.

And we must keep aligning with our true purpose to keep the flow going.  My true purpose is to lead, and be an entrepreneur where I can call my own shots. 

Once I woke up from the "spell", I remembered these universal truths I had always known.

THIS IS THE MATRIARCHAL COMMUNITY MODEL:  Enrich everyone from bottom to top.  There is gratitude for teachers/leaders, and service to students/workers.

1.  Money is actually infinite.  This is a deep prosperity teaching.  It responds to our belief.  And our ability to give, circulate, and create value.  Like a fountain pouring into a bowl, it moves, and can also be contained.  But it's good not to restrict the flow by hoarding!  And the spiritual truth is, when we circulate money, time & talents joyfully, more will circulate back to us!  In many matriarchal societies, doing "giveaway" ensures the rich continue to prosper.  For 20 years I have given 10% of my money away, and it ensures money miracles!

2.  People can make money out of their joy of service.  We have the right to have control over our working conditions and work the hours & places that work for us.  As an entrepreneur, I always followed the joy....I enjoyed serving, and was rewarded based on what I negotiated, not what the market will bear.  I expressed gratitude to those who have guided, particular if my teachers have taught me how to prosper.  I always "tithed back" to my coaches, counselors & teachers. "Give someone a fish, they will eat for a day.  Teach someone to fish, they can eat for a lifetime".  

​In addition, women are in leadership, and their leadership is respected.

3.  When the students desire to grow, they have the space to do so.  They are encouraged to come into their leadership.  Sometimes in the midst of powerful leaders, it is required to move into a different space so as to not compete with the leader/teacher that mentored you. This is understood.  But teachers/leaders encourage the students to expand, and the students share gratitude/money/time.

And you know what was the key for me to "wake up" from this patriarchal spell?

​My anger and my rage.

I am SO grateful that when I am repeatedly told what to do and told I do not have a choice in the matter, I get pretty pissed off.

I am SO grateful that menopause has put my anger right at the surface, not buried deep anymore.

I am SO grateful that I have loving people in my life I could share my anger with, and find ways to process it.

And ultimately, that rage led me back into my power as the head of my own Real Estate Investing & Coaching company.   This has taken some calculated risk, and being willing to take a bet on myself.  

  What are the steps out of patriarchy and into being the Chief Executive Officer of your own life & business?

3 PRACTICAL WAYS TO BE THE CEO OF YOUR LIFE~

1.  Gather your supports around you:  Coaches, counselors, support groups, business networks, family & friends.  Once you start looking, the people who want to see you win will show up.  Be willing to pay mentors & helpers a decent professional rate as you can afford it.  I paid for counseling, coaching, a women's real estate investing network(that LITERALLY showed me a CEO framework!) & hired a lawyer to create my own LLC, which was a huge empowerment!

2.  Stash some cash:  Put money aside to be able to weather any financial storms as you are building your new CEO life.  It can take time to build new income after transitioning out of a corporate job, and it's good to be prepared. We stockpiled savings and downsized some expenses in preparation.  SO many women stay in sub-standard situations out of financial need.  What happens if you don't "need" the abusive(job, relationship, etc.) anymore?
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*And if you want help to step into your empowered self, I am happy to help you as a coach.  I have helped women for 20 years with financial coaching, from both mindset & practical sides.

3.  Pull off the Band-Aid:    Don't over-think it.  When it's time to go, it's time to go.  You may want to give a standard notice period.  You may not.  Ultimately, there is going to be some discomfort in leaving behind a corporate environment.  But if you have support, and a financial plan, what is stopping you?

Which leads me to my final point:

Being the CEO of your own life is to embrace Villain Era!  Leaving corporate, you will be demonized on some level.  "She couldn't hack it".  "What a bitch".  "She is disappointing".  

Great.  This is actually a sign you are doing real work.  Coach Margot Miller says you need to start disappointing people to stand in your power.

Feminine power is rising on the planet now.  We must have room to fulfill our dreams, and be the leaders we were born to be.  Women traditionally share power, money, and wealth when we prosper. 

As we rise, so will our communities, and all those we touch!  It is the matriarchal way.