There is a difference between a business owner and a business leader.

Business ownership historically leads patriarchally, treating employees as property, a means to an end, and disposable.

Business leadership seeks to operate more matriarchally, working to create a culture and environment that supports onward and upward economic mobility.

Do you own, or do you lead?

Creating the infrastructure for girls, women, and mothers to flourish within your company is not too complicated. It’s actually easier than you think - but it may cost you a bit of time and intention. In this episode, I’ll give you some simple ways to get started, infuse some matriarchal leadership strategies, and help you position your business as a leader in your industry.

Go HERE to read the essay that inspired this episode.

xoxoxo,

Melinda

What does cancer have to do with communication? If you think about it, communication dysfunctions also hide out as nameless, faceless, sabotaging agents that are capable of wreaking havoc on the health of personal and professional relationships. Communication challenges can also poison workplace culture, spreading toxicity swiftly and quietly through disengaged, careless, and fearful members. Not many people like confrontation or stepping in as mediators to conflict - but what would happen if instead of hiding out, we practiced embracing organizational tensions? Communication is fluid, not fixed, and that means there are multiple junctures that provide opportunities for infusing fresh insights, empathy, respect, and consideration into everyday workflows.

Through Conrad and Poole's system's principles, curating a healthy communication flow is not as difficult as it may seem. The value of systems thinking is that it provides a focus on the framework - creating space for humanity to flow in and throughout - with the opportunity to adapt with advancement. Communication skills, strategic thinking, and mindfulness are essential skills for leaders of the future. If we hope to lead, direct, govern, or oversee people - we need to continually practice improving communications skills. This episode of Coeur d'Femme was created from the blog post, Cancerous Communications. If you would like more information on topics related to communications theories and strategic communication planning, join me HERE.

I hope this episode leaves you with some things to contemplate before embarking on the new year. Take with you what worked, leave behind what breeds unnecessary challenges, and let's keep on moving forward.

Melinda

Scientific theories are not just for business leaders or corporate giants - they can also be applied to personal leadership, parenting, and for improving relationships. Join me in an exploration of the theory of the Communicative Constitution of Organizations (CCO), commonly called the Four Flows theory, where I discuss the ways this theory makes its presence in the practical world whether you are an individual or represent an organization. The Four Flows theory places communication at the helm of organizational and relational ecosystems, modeling flows of dialogue that supports movement along dialogue and through challenges.

We say this a lot here at Coeur d'Femme: communication is fluid, not fixed. Health has a flow. Stagnation and blockage lead to dysfunction and disease. You'll find it easier to embrace communication tensions when applying a model for moving dialogue forward. Personal and professional relationships require investment and a commitment to listening and learning; one way to invest in your communication skills is to learn about the Four Flows theory. You'll learn more about yourself, and others while enlarging your capacity to communicate effectively.

This project is part of Gonzaga University's master's in Communication and Leadership program. To learn more about the Four Flows theory, or to follow up with me about how this theory could help you improve operations or relationships, join me HERE.