NGO Soul + Strategy 017. What's all this talk about feminist leadership? An interview with Abby Maxman, CEO, Oxfam America
What’s all this talk about feminist leadership? An interview with Abby Maxman, Oxfam America’s CEO
Feminist leadership seems to be in ascendance in the INGO sector. Now, our sector is a bit prone to fads and fashions -- so should we take this seriously? Is this leadership model here to stay? And what are its potential, its power as well as its limitations? This is what I explore in a short series of episodes about feminist leadership, which is starting with this interview with Abby Maxman, CEO of Oxfam America.
Later in the series, I will interview Aruna Rao, Lisa Veneklaassen, and Joanne Sandler, while plans to interview Srilatha Batliwala are in the works.
Quotes
“Servant leadership does not always necessarily mean you to lead from behind (although this is often what’s needed); it can sometimes also mean leading from the front”
“Feminist leadership needs to be situational and adaptive to be helpful”
“You need to be kind of heart but also tough of mind, at the same time”
Feminist leadership obviously has the aspiration to contribute towards a gender-just society, both internally inside the organization, and externally. In this podcast series, I focus on how feminist leadership plays out as an organizational leadership model. According to Abby, feminist leadership among others is about being developmental towards other employees, bringing out the best in others. And it is about nurturing and seeking out the voices of all staff.
Here is LinkedIn 's profile of Abby Maxman
Click here to subscribe to be alerted when new podcast episodes come out or when Tosca produces other thought leadership pieces.
Or email Tosca attosca@5oaksconsulting.orgif you want to talk about your social sector organization’s needs, challenges, and opportunities.
You can find Tosca’s content by following her on her social media channels: