Tag: gender dynamics

WHY ARE WE AFRAID TO LOVE?

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Changing the Rules of the GameLeave a comment

Observing the world today, I wonder why it’s so difficult still for love to permeate the boardroom?  “Can Love and Business combine easily? Why is FEAR so often the underlying energy of profit and the accumulation of wealth in traditional male dominated environments?” I ask myself.

I have been warned off promoting the subject of ‘love as an energy force at work’ yet I know in my heart and mind combined, that the energy of pure loving intentions, as the inner game of life, is the only thing that will transform both business and life success together.  I have been told to be rational, not emotional, leave the tears and emotions outside the boardroom door.  Why can I not influence with real world emotions that matter?  I believe, men and women alike need to value the essence of love, loving energy and loving actions where they have a soul connection as a source of power rather than fear when engaging with another human being. Whether in the boardroom or the bedroom, you are a human being in action. Your choice; love or fear? Your emotions come with you to work.  Of course, YOU may not believe loving intentions and positive emotions matter at work or that it is always within your choices. Many don’t believe and continue to live in fear although not admitting it that way.  Now the influence of women rising and at the top of the workplace, technology and digital fluidity and flexibility, disruption, innovation and entrepreneurial mindsets breaking the rules, life has changed for ever. Love is here to stay and face fear front on!

“How can you be a human being and exist without loving feelings?” I pondered as I struggled to understand my own female emotions as I grew up through decades of change… and my anguish in tears would be choked back, so as not to be viewed as weak or a victim, on any issue or emotionally vulnerable scenario I was taking risks in…. especially those close-up moments where I was wadding into the unknown of relationships personal to me.
I have had times of great challenge and cried buckets and needed to do so. I learned the release of emotional responses when love with another person changes. I intend not to be the victim, nor (within my power) do anything to make another person a victim or a vampire. Whether in personal, familial or business relationships, it is possible to navigate the waters and sail through stormy seas to a clear horizon. Emotions revealed though enhancing one’s life can be fabulous and – when negative – can be debilitating and sorrowful. We still must take the risk if no resolution is found together. SoulMateLove is about being alive to the unknown as well as enjoying the fruits of love. Finding peace within ourselves is the goal so that we can endure, create, relate, and thrive against any odds.  It is a personal inner destination and I believe will attract like-minded people to you. Not people who are the same, but who are like-minded, open, values based, mindful and conscious to love.

FGabm group beachHonesty with your own feelings can be a tough call but I assure you it’s essential for true growth and happiness. Men and women of all types, shapes, characteristics and values can share their version of love in the workplace and co-create new rules that underpin a collaborative harmony and vibrant creativity to produce better results.  Why not?  When we allow ourselves to love freely, genuinely, without fear, we won’t just be dreaming big ideas, we can make them happen often without the material world controlling us. Many of the greatest success stories today are from those connected to their love emotions and their ability to risk fear to grow strong in loving intentions. Of the two major emotions LOVE and FEAR, I suggest LOVE – within us and with others – is the only course of intention and action.  I choose LOVE.

#soulmatelove #genderdynamics #magicalconversations

On Pre-sale from next week. Watch this space for more information.

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#Metoo – voicing our perspective matters

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Changing the Rules of the Game, New Rules and Magical ConversationsLeave a comment

Sexually-Harassing-1This week, following revelations of sexual harassment in Hollywood with movie maker mogul, Harvey Weinstein, women everywhere are bravely posting their voice as #metoo sexual harassment stories spread rapidly across the social media landscape.

YES #metoo it’s happened to me as I grew up trying to understand myself as a woman. I know those moments of learning (especially when naive and young) have occurred for so many females who have felt attacked verbally and sexually in their lives. For us, it stirs in our nurturing make-up and sensitivity that we feel harassed on many occasions from a pinch on the bottom to outright attack.

Yet it is more than #metoo – It happens also for gentle-men who feel that softer side of emotional intuition gets attacked by their macho brothers. I have been fortunate that I have never suffered any deeply vicious sexual attack on my person, yet I feel for all young girls and women who are sexually abused and attacked in our world. And there are many – and in countries we sometimes cannot reach – that are trapped by circumstances beyond their will. The feeling of sexual harassment becomes endemic through the little things as well as big issues that get left unsaid by women and unsettled between men and women. It’s also the subject of concern that wise men don’t stand up against men who attack women. How we females stand up for ourselves and clarify ‘yes’ or ‘no’ appropriately to attack and not be afraid, really does matter.

My personal passion is to create a new blueprint for unconditional acceptance and love for each other, between and within genders, sourcing the true empowerment of different gender dynamics characteristics. Unconditional mindful love is needed and the space in which to share freely and honestly how we feel. Over and above, I believe, we need to co-create a new awareness. I set my intention to spread ‘magical conversations’ to take root as a daily practice; where no judgments are made by men on women, and vice versa; where no anger or harsh or sexually harassing words are spoken, and all parties communicate and contribute with authentic truth of loving intentions.

I commit to helping men understand the complexities and variety of issues they now face when they work and co-exist with women in a transient competitive, mobile connected world. Women nowadays have male colleagues, brothers, uncles, fathers, sons, male friends and/or male lovers. Learning how to resolve and dissolve the endless negative stories women have of inappropriate gestures, words, actions and reactions – let alone vicious and malicious attacks, physical and verbal – urgently matters. I have worked for many years with women to share the same blueprint as I do now with men to embrace all types, in order that mutual magical conversations can arise and heal our world.

For harmony between us all, I am fortunate to be travelling this adventure with my soulmate wise man, James A. Omps and together with him we pledge to leave a legacy of love… #soulmatelove #magicalconversations #genderdynamics

 

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Jim and Pauline Omps 2017

http://www.pauline-crawford-omps.com

http://www.corporateheart.co.uk

For news of upcoming programs for MEN ONLY and for WOMEN ONLY to explore a new blueprint, contact pauline@pauline-crawford-omps.com

 

Creating Magical Conversations

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Changing the Rules of the Game, New Rules and Magical Conversations, UncategorizedLeave a comment
Power Struggle Between a Man and a Woman
Power Struggle Between a Man and a Woman

As time moves on in 2017, it becomes apparent that we’re still stuck in terms of men and women getting their act together at the top of the corporate world, the political world and many parts of our social and domestic world. There are good stories of collaboration and men and women co-creating amazing ventures together, of communities recognizing the value of women in the workplace and as leaders, yet these stories are shrouded by nasty stories of male rhetoric and vicious “put-downs” of women, and cries from women about bad behavior of men, especially prominent political figures. It’s time to stop this cycle of negativity, this struggle for power, life is a game not a battle field. It’s time to live life not kill ourselves with hate and fear.  It’s time both men and women recognized their ripples of magic before we all get sucked into  mayhem.

Let’s take business.  I hear so many stories still about how we should have more women at IMG_2253the top of business yet we don’t have the increase in numbers that is possible given the pool of educated talent available. We need to change the ‘track record’ of the criteria for women in the boardroom; and stop women still arguing the toss about whether if they had been in charge, the economic crisis would have not happened. I would like to focus on what we can do together to evolve a new ‘magical conversations’ between all parties in many diverse situations especially where we get stuck. We do this so that we can build a healthy, loving, energized and engaged thriving work and life culture, rather than keep on going over the past.

Our world is changing fast and today is no longer like yesterday so I believe it’s time to change the rules.  It is the “how’ that is our challenge!

This is the time to look outside the past restrictions which have stopped progress. Magical Conversations are not soft and fluffy. They are based on all parties being valued, all parties having an equal right to contribute and all parties understanding the ‘rules’. Ah ha you say – there are rules!  Yes simple and all-embracing. The rules are simple – no judgments, no anger, no restrictive behaviors, no outrageous or harmful img-20160731-wa0010behaviors allowed.  All must be heard, not all views are right, and not all views are wrong, but all views are considered on the table and no conclusions or decisions are made without consensus and at the very least a degree of observation, patience, perseverance and imagination.  So can you feel the magic? The magic is in the mix of contributors, the selection of topics, plus the agreed positive willingness, energy and commitment to mutually respectful outcomes.

Are people ready to shift their perspectives and be truly inclusive? Many factors come to bear but let me first focus on the gender divide and make it more dynamic and positively productive. Then magic may occur faster!

16939506_10154447883563099_4414038946700759001_nFor over 30 years I have addressed many lively groups; business men and women, many solo entrepreneurs, many corporate players, many owners of small successful businesses, and my theme is always generally about “Life, Love and Legacy” and my passion that we live a fulfilled life whether male or female, at home or at work.   My vision for my audiences to ‘take responsibility and ownership for your lives”. I am often asked by women how they can bring love and energy into their business existence and I suggest it is the only way to have a healthy existence. We need to attract wise men to live and work with us as business professionals, and also as mothers, sisters, friends, aunties, daughters and colleagues, as customers and suppliers, as multi-faceted, emotional, caring, intelligent, highly talented, visionary collaborators for today’s future.  Some men may never have been approached with this in business terms.  It’s down to us to stand by our true nature.

I believe if we all can take a wise stance, and for women to draw on our ancient wisdom, our natural strengths and attributes as females, be it of many different types and styles, generations and cultures across the world. Women can then embrace men and persuade, inform, influence and emerge new ways to work together.

cropped-img_02481.jpgMy wise advice to female audiences is consistent; let’s play our best card, draw the female baton and hand it on to other women around the world; use our whole brain, left and right, while recognizing the limitations, rules and regulations that have been placed on us can be changed.  Let yourself own the special place we’re now at and work together to give reasoned viewpoints as to why and how we change these rules.

Women have fantastic opportunities now to get involved in business, in politics, in social change and in determining our children’s future. Yes, it may be a long road of change, but it’s happening as we sleep, eat and go out to work day by day. More and more men and women want a more purposeful world, a world where work and life find a more compatible coalition. And magical conversations are occurring everywhere.img-20160324-wa0016

My questions to women (and those wise men who recognise our value) to ensure we come to together to progress our future in a sustainable and co-creative manner;

What part did women play in the design of our current world? What can women be responsible for in our conversations with women and with men?

What did each of us learn from our lives to date that give us skills that can play into business and enterprise and social change designed often by a male world and in many arenas of business for many hundreds of years?

How can we discuss, debate and declare our authentic advantage as women without threatening, fighting with or demoralising men?

And why will men listen and hear us in a way that extends an open hand of collaboration?

I am uplifted to meet more and more wise men and women, of all generations who think, feel and act in a space of conscious awareness of others and the community around them. I am being asked every week to bring these Magical Conversations into a wider arena and that I pledge to do through my programs, mentoring advice and facilitator development. I intend to set the ripple circling outwards and see how far the magic can reach.

Changing the RULES OF THE GAME…

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn New Rules and Magical ConversationsLeave a comment

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Pauline Crawford leads the conversation at London Conference July 8th 2016

The field upon which the game of life – in all of its incarnations – is played out has been much maligned for some years now. Much is debated by diverse groups that we need to level or change the playing field. To allow us to move forward on this often heated debate concerning the rise of women now pursuing careers to senior roles and/or running their own businesses, please note that the playing field of business is constantly evolving and impacting lifestyles in commercial, social and domestic arenas. Please note also that the current playing field of business is usually adequate enough for the game but maybe not entirely welcoming to all players. Often we don’t notice the change and the debate focuses on the surface requirements and not the rules of the game. It would be wise now to look below the surface and engage all players to understand that the rules of the game have been found badly in need of revision and updating.

To that end we suggest that the rules of the game cited above should be amended. For starters, let us suggest that whatever the current norm is for the rules occurring at this moment in time, it must reasonably be preceded by a minimum of three additional rules. For example:

Rule 1 – Anybody who wants to play the game and is qualified to do so will be granted the opportunity to play regardless of any other factors including – but not necessarily limited to – ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, generation and/or gender.

Rule 2 – When on the field, each player will participate with the full approval, cooperation and support of all others on the field i.e. the organization and/or individual they represent as well as other team members, associates, family members and customers.

Rule 3 – Any differences of opinion, challenges, disagreements, questions and disputes will be resolved and/or otherwise settled by referring to Rule 1.

It should be clear to every person participating in commerce – be it in such areas as business, law, education, public or private service – regardless of which side of the gender fence you find yourself on – that these three simple amendments to the RULES OF THE GAME are a good beginning. There are doubtless many additional amendments and additional rules that come to mind, but at least this is a start.

Women have entered business in increasing numbers and blend business & life. Will men accept women as a bonus to business and recognize the mutual talents they bring together? Understanding each other is key!

Note – when men and women co-create the rules today, it is important to value gender dynamics and the essential differences not just between men and women, but between women and between men, in alignment with the market shifts and new working patterns we see due to technology, globalization and the empowerment of women at work.

When regarding a full range of professional, social and domestic life as factors for success, the game calls on all players to contribute the co-creation of any new rules. In today’s world, a shift to a gender-balanced perspective is a key component of success. It is imperative in today’s chaotic world, that men and women invite each other to co-create the rules of the game not merely for themselves but for generations to come.

Authors – Dr James Omps and Dr Pauline Crawford

1-156 (2)Co-creators of a new blueprint, Gender Dynamics©, and upcoming book “Who’s in Charge?” these two experienced international educators herald a new era of conversation. “The time has come to sit around the table, co-create and design a new conversation, a magical conversation, for real-time, real-world needs” they suggest.  Essential to the success of such a conversation about new rules is the understanding that when men and women of many different gender-dynamics styles and diverse backgrounds, get together and value each person’s contribution without judgement (Rule 1, 2 and 3) they are the best mix for productive and sustainable results.

CHANGING THE PLAYING FIELD – Part 3 of 3

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Changing the Rules of the GameLeave a comment

THE NEW BLUEPRINT HAS ARRIVED…

By Dr Pauline Crawford International Speaker and Facilitator

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The Time Is Now …

The much discussed and fabled playing field that so many of my gender seem so committed to changing, is the one that we all walk out onto as we prepare to challenge the men of the world to another round of “He Said … She Said!” There is one word that I would like to define before we start to choose up sides, appoint referees and crouch down into that menacing stance as we prepare to go head-to-head. That word is procrastinate. According to the highly vaunted Oxford Unabridged, it is as follows: pro·cras·ti·nate (prō-krăs′tə-nāt′, prə-) –  v.intr. To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.  v.tr. To postpone or delay needlessly.

Okay, let’s get down to business. Wait a second … that’s the game we play that is so badly in need of changing, right? I think we can agree that, while the list of male-female inequities is not be growing at an alarming rate at this minute, nothing much has been done to reduce it over the past few years. We know, for example, that the pay gap issue remains, the opportunities continue to narrow for women as they move up the corporate ladder, and that life and work are uncomfortable playmates when women choose to have a family and work outside of the home. In that regard it’s interesting to note that in the US many companies do not offer employer-sponsored maternity plans while Nordic countries both dads and mums are given paid time off around the birth of their child. Such policies are there to help women succeed but they vary widely across the world if they are offered at all. It feels very piecemeal as it applies to core issues.

Religious and cultural pressures often defuse the female’s ability to be more independent. Everybody does something so that they can say, “We did something.” Large corporations hire token numbers of female applicants, governments, true to their heritage, establish “reasonable” quotas then throw money at the problem, while the companies, businesses and individuals that are left provide a few of the right sound-bites after which they will procrastinate in the hope that, by just leaving it alone, the problem it will go away. I mean … remember the advice your mum gave you when you found your first pimple … “If you pick it, it may become a boil … just leave it alone and it will go away.”

The Un-Level Playing FieldSo why, given good evidence to support changing the playing field by changing the rules of the game, do so many traditional corporations choose to follow the same path they have always followed? Why, when virtually everything around you has changed so fundamentally over the last 200+ years do they choose to cling so tenaciously to rules and policies and a paradigm that no longer works? Simple! The corporate world is run by men who lack common sense and the energy to re-engage life and change. The education system that led them there is unchanged and un-level when it comes to boys and girls. Yet girls are now in the lead both in numbers and qualifications in so many subject areas.  Maybe men have lost the entrepreneurial spirit that created ‘business’ in the first place 200 years ago.  Many have got caught up in ‘doing things right’ (i.e. to the rules of yesterday) and not paid attention to ‘doing the right things’ (i.e. acknowledging women are making the same or even greater contribution to current profitable markets as men do).

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Common sense must rule the changes and an intelligent mutually beneficial blueprint put into action. Procrastination can no longer be tolerated. The time to rethink and rewrite the rules it TODAY … not tomorrow!

 

 

PHOTO CRAWFORD-OMPSCOMING TO THE UK FROM JUNE 14TH – 13TH JULY  AUTHORS PAULINE CRAWFORD AND JAMES OMPS WILL BE SHARING THEIR BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS AND PREVIEW OF THEIR BOOK ‘WHO’S IN CHARGE?’  Their approach is invite you to share the conversation by stepping onto a new blueprint that encompasses men and women of all shapes ans sizes, personality types and ages. It is a blueprint core to business and life and addresses all diversity issues that current challenge organisations today.

For details of their tour schedule during that time, available in Brighton and London, please email paulinecrawford.pc@gmail.com or what’s app +60132352225

CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITY WITH VOICE AT THE TABLE IN THE UK JULY 8TH LONDON

Join us for an opportunity to explore the dynamics of the playing field and how you can engage in the evolution revolution of a mutually beneficial future.

CHANGING THE PLAYING FIELD – Part 2 of 3

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Changing the Rules of the GameLeave a comment

CHANGING THE RULES OF THE GAME 

By Dr Pauline Crawford, International Speaker & Facilitator

gender-pay-gap-women-fall-behind

Same-Old, Same-Old …

Okay … so you’ve been in a boardroom or two and you’re struck by how similar they are one to another. There is the imposing table that dominates the room with a dozen or so comfortable looking chairs surrounding it … whatever its shape. You also notice that the most comfortable looking of those chairs is located at one end of the table of the other. Now that we have a mental picture of the playing field that so many seem obsessed with changing, let me refer to my previous blog and reiterate the point that I made therein … the playing field is not the issue. More to the point, the goal must be – and the sooner the better – to consider, assess and change policy, procedure and dogma as warranted … in short … to change the rules of the game!

Small businesswoman

What or who determines how one must play the corporate game? Is it a policy manual gathering dust on an office shelf somewhere? If so, who compiled, composed, created, authored, inscribed, transcribed, engraved, penned, carved in stone, scripted, entered, and/or recorded that document? More than that, how are existing laws, rules, guidelines, dogmata, and accepted courses of action amended, edited, corrected, revised, modified, and/or rewritten? How does a qualified candidate/employee make it to that coveted prize … the top rung of the ladder of success? Is it truly policy or are things more controlled by a vote or two from what is – generally speaking, of course – a predominately male group of voters? What are the rules of the game that determines just who gets to pull his or her chair up to that majestic table and be one of those who decide the direction of the organization … the strategies and the big picture? Whether or not it’s a boardroom or an office that sits on the top floor with the great view, we need to know that this part of building is not built upon a glass floor.

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Men and women around the table making the future grow in innovative ways

It is imperative that we work to change the rules of the game. In order to initiate the process, we can no longer buy into those old arguments that continue to crop up every time one of us has the temerity to broach the subject of changing the rules? Those “same-old, same-old” conversations have been designed to drain our resolve in challenging the status quo. “Why fix what clearly is not broken,” is an expression that has absolutely no traction given the mountain of evidence to the contrary.  The system that was implemented more than 200 years ago IS broken, and it is far beyond ‘fixing’ at this point in time. It must – and it will – be changed and replaced. This journey to our future is about MEN and WOMEN succeeding and thriving together. That degree of change mandates a new blueprint, a “We are in this together blueprint,” where the old last is thrown away rather than using it to repair a worn out shoe or to cobble a new one that simply duplicates it.  A shoe that fits exactly as the old one did is simply a reiteration of that ‘same-old, same-old’ argument that we’ve been hearing for decades if not centuries. And just when should we anticipate the needed change be implemented? Well … in my opinion … The Time Is Now!

 

COMING TO THE UK FROM JUNE 14TH TO JULY 13TH AUTHORS PAULINE CRAWFORD AND JAMES OMPS ARE SHARING THEIR BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS AND PREVIEW OF THEIR BOOK ‘WHO’S IN CHARGE?’  Their approach is invite you to share the conversation by stepping onto a new blueprint that encompasses men and women of all shapes ans sizes, personality types and ages. It is a blueprint core to business and life and addresses all diversity issues that current challenge organisations today.

For details of their tour schedule during that time, available in Brighton and London, please email paulinecrawford.pc@gmail.com or what’s app +60132352225

CHANGING THE PLAYING FIELD – Part 1 of 3

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Changing the Rules of the GameLeave a comment

CHANGING THE PLAYING FIELD

By Dr Pauline Crawford International Speaker and Facilitator

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Are we misled by a lack of common sense?

As I watch the morning news on television, what I see is a world falling further into chaos with each passing day.  It causes me to reflect on the basic nature of men and women and the hope that something intrinsic and infinitely perfect will produce future generations of happy well-adjusted males and females who are truly counterparts. Still, my experience has been that men and women grow more contentious and antagonistic every day.

Today’s technology and the increasing exposure to global commerce can be very enabling. This digital equity – for lack of a better term – makes it possible for virtually everybody to access the global marketplace, regardless of ethnicity, culture or gender type. One would think that this, in and of itself, changes the playing field. Interestingly – and in my opinion – it does. One can actually see that the playing field has been changing all along. It’s kind of like when we were all kids … you could play your games in the house, in the garden, in the street or on a local playing field. The playing fields of our memories and those that exist today have changed right along with us.

Now let me ask you a question: are we all the same? In obvious ways, no we are not all the same. In other ways, however, we are. One of the key components we are apparently born with – and studies bear me out on this – is our innate desire to achieve.  Animals do not necessarily have this particular desire. Animals eat, sleep, hunt, procreate and die. We, on the other hand, have an inborn instinct to achieve, and when that desire goes unfulfilled, frustration and depression set in. This, in turn, can lead the male ego to engender anger, dissatisfaction and violence. These are all consequences of male depression. The sad reality is, if the male ego is blunted, females will, all too often, bear the brunt of the situation cheating10by being subjugated and disallowed the opportunity to explore their potential beyond the domestic setting to which they are consigned.

In our current and supposedly liberated and connected, world where globalization and social media often brings us news faster than we can cope with it, there are, in my considered opinion, too many women stuck in places and thrust into situations where men simply fail to value the resource that women are. Such situations will and do occur at home, in relationships, in a team environment and at work. The impact is always negative and always inhibitive.

Okay, so let’s say that we can accept the fact that the playing field – any playing field – is adequate for the larger purposes of our discourse on commerce and the myriad inequities and inequalities exposed therein. Let’s also agree not to pursue the argument that we need a level playing field or a better playing field or a new playing field. Consensus here is key to moving on to the more important issues. What – I’m sure some of you are thinking – is more important than a level playing field? How about … changing the rules of the game?

 

 

CONFERENCE OPPORTUNITY WITH VOICE AT THE TABLE IN THE UK JULY 8TH LONDON

Join us for an opportunity to explore the dynamics of the playing field and how you can engage in the evolution revolution of a mutually beneficial future.

 

COMING TO THE UK FROM JUNE 14TH TO JULY 13TH AUTHORS PAULINE CRAWFORD AND JAMES OMPS ARE SHARING THEIR BLUEPRINT FOR SUCCESS AND PREVIEW OF THEIR BOOK ‘WHO’S IN CHARGE?’  Their approach is invite you to share the conversation by stepping onto a new blueprint that encompasses men and women of all shapes ans sizes, personality types and ages. It is a blueprint core to business and life and addresses all diversity issues that current challenge organisations today.

For details of their tour schedule during that time, available in Brighton and London, please email paulinecrawford.pc@gmail.com or what’s app +60132352225

The DNA of Gender Dynamics© Part 6 . Learning to Engage One Another.

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Gender Dynamics DNA The StoryLeave a comment

By Dr Pauline Crawford, International Speaker & Facilitator

hand_shake_m_1Ask any audience the question “ARE MEN AND WOMEN THE SAME?” and you will always get the same answer. NO! In every biological kingdom across the world – be it human or animal – the male and female of each species are designed to be different genders and to come together to create new life. No argument there. We laugh at the obvious differences as in this picture.  However, not all men behave the same, nor do all women behave the same, and the reasons for this are myriad.

I realized within a short period of time that I needed to take ‘what I knew’ back to the drawing board. I was learning that within each gender there was a range of physical body shapes that had a direct correlation to identifiable gender specific behavioral patterns that linked directly to left-brain, right-brain patterns and configurations. Beyond that, it was my belief that these patterns began to develop from birth. What I was witness to was the emergence of various types of women and men quite literally coming out of hiding, if you will, due to the necessity to survive in a world that struggled to make sense of the chaos of this gender evolution.

article-1364014-00BEEEF8000004B0-177_468x286Society at large continues to try to squeeze everyone into neat little boxes that men of great power and stature created centuries ago, long before women even began daydreaming about the possibility of working alongside men in the business world. Now, however, women, technology and changing needs are forcing us to rethink the playground we all live and work in. Nowadays the differences within each gender, especially women, are out in the open. Women now clamber to hold their place without truly understanding the biases that exist between women and women, and men and men, let alone between men and women. Each, in their own way, struggle to make sense of the influence required by those in charge.  New leaders are emerging; men and women alike who recognize that the players, as well as the ground rules need to change as the marketplace and life itself changes. The playground has both boy and girls in it. Why, then, do we choose to keep approximately half of our available human capital from participating in the growth and development process to become leaders. Why do we arbitrarily include and exclude at random?

boys_and_girlsLook in the playground, you see the girls play together, often in circles with their heads together. You see the girly girls sitting pretty and the tom-boy girls climb trees and playing football, ‘all girl’ and yet tough in their own way.  You see the boys hustle and tussle, playing running games, football and the like. You see that the more reserved, quiet and perhaps gentle boy plays football, but does not easily take to the more physically challenging parts of sport such as risking bodily injury and hitting opponents harder. Yet both are ‘all boy’ as they deal with their individual DNA and spirit.

As the girls grow and mature, they may well have the opportunity to become leaders like Chancellor Angela Merkel or Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, very different types of women.  Boys may well have the opportunity to become the next President Bill Clinton or world leader Nelson Mandela, again very different types of men. Imagine them each these different types of boys and girls in the playground, and let me know your views?

Men and women around the table making the future grow in innovative ways
Men and women around the table making the future grow in innovative ways

As I began to recognize these variations of leading men and women in the boardroom, as leaders in government, as entrepreneurs hiring the next generation and in society at large, I observed changes afoot that lead us to new ways of working, using mixed gender teams and feminine leadership styles, where maybe the focus becomes people rather than profit, customer rather than cost savings. The playing field starts to change to a more collaborative end game where men and women share the playground with a dynamic harmony and results that suit all.  Such things are not out of reach.

The DNA of Gender Dynamics Part 5. Men and Women … Reaching a Critical Understanding

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Gender Dynamics DNA The StoryLeave a comment

By: Dr Pauline Crawford, International Speaker & Facilitator


drama-queen
If we accept that men and women are different, in terms of an overall gender culture, how do we start to understand the intrinsic differences within each gender? More than that, how do we measure the impact that these differences are having today as women alter, and in some instances all but abandon their historically designated roles as mother, wife and homemaker?  Are changes coming due primarily due to generational variations, cultural pressures or sexual overlays? Is it because of religion or ethnicity? Interestingly, all of those things would, in my opinion, potentially lead to explosive and undesirable outcomes.

In my experience, in most parts of the world, men and women want to be successful, but for different reasons. It is critical to raise the awareness surrounding gender differences not just in nature, behavior, talents and skills, but with regard to desires and visions for each gender. Ask women what they mean by success and more often than not they will site personal values first – e.g. family, health and peace – rather than personal wealth and recognition.

Taking a look at the shifts occurring throughout the business world – men and women confronting the obvious biases held by each – I looked back on my own journey to help establish a point of reference.  I started by tracing the core DNA of Gender Dynamics© through observations I had made and noted regarding the variables that come into play when men and women interact. I realized that there were men who exhibited very masculine characteristics (I began referring to them as MM), and there were men who freely exhibited characteristics that would normally be regarded as feminine (I classified this group as FM). There were women, obviously, who displayed highly feminine traits (I denoted these women as FF) and there were other women who displayed some traits that appeared more masculine in nature (and I characterized them as MF). Here at last I found my true nature.  My tom-boy essence came to rest as a grown up mature woman.  The overlay that I have created can help us understand such diverse factors as generation shifts, cultural divergence, religious codes, sexual distinctions and preferences as well as the rapid changes occurring in the global community where men and women have got in a tangled mis-understanding and dis-regard. It must be noted, at this point, that my codification of the above traits are in no way indicative of one’s sexual orientation.

20235294-diversity-group-of-teenage-boys-and-girls-isolated-on-white-backgroundIn summary, I can confidently say my own research shows there are some core similarities among all men, and likewise among all women, stemming from our biological essence, and across whatever age, culture, sexual preference we are or where in this world we are brought up. To elucidate: men are the hunter/gatherers, think in boxes, one at a time… and part of their biological function is to impregnate women. Women are the center of the family are biologically geared to nurture and care for their family and surroundings. Whatever choices men and women make to expand their life in the creation of their wealth, the woman, if she chooses, will always bear the baby and take on the major family care role. It’s in our hormones and even when women are more masculine minded MF, as I am, and we strive for a career without regret, the emotional maternal core will raise it’s gentle head.  Some men may take the home-father role but they are still not nearly a majority influence.  Even Y Generation couples who are more evenly sharing their lives in employment, income and social activities, still leave more of the caring duties to the woman.  It’s natural, it’s nature. It now lines up against a natural urge for women to be in business, to be independent and successful as much as any man and still have a man in her life who she can partner on life’s journey.  We want it all!  I believe that the world needs to recognize and applaud core gender differences and the influence these have on our lives especially when women go forth into a men’s world or both genders champion ‘gender equality’ boy-girl-signswithout regard for our biological make-up.

What biology cannot be held accountable for is all the evolved bias and quite myriad stressful differences and blind-spots that exist and have existed between men and women for centuries. I’m talking about the differences that are at the epicenter of the ongoing debate raging between genders. The record clearly shows that men and women struggle with innate bias, imposed stereotypes, invoking human rights issues … disputes nearly as old as time itself. One of my objectives has been to provide a lens through which to examine and evaluate the domestic and professional shifts and conflicts between men and women in any situation. I have been able to do this and, as changes continue to occur and disrupt the ebb and flow of society, I continue to refine it. I will reveal the map in my next blog.

The DNA of Gender Dynamics© Part 4. Merging life and business … the “and/and” female mantra

On By paulinecrawfordpcIn Gender Dynamics DNA The StoryLeave a comment

By: Dr Pauline Crawford, International Speaker & Facilitator

Women have entered business in increasing numbers and blend business & life. Will men accept women as a bonus to business and recognize the mutual talents they bring together? Understanding each other is key!
Like many women, I loved the logic of business and yet needed to blend business & life. I challenged men to accept women as a bonus to business and recognize the mutual talents they bring together. I knew that understanding in a gender dynamic manner was essential.

As I developed the business side of my emergent personality, I grew despondent about my personal relationship with my husband.  I discovered that, after years of having a relatively negative self-image, I had finally come to love my angular body and saw it come into alignment with my natural, angular, logical mind-set. I came to the realization that I was what, who and how I was for a reason.  I was no more nor was I any less than any other woman I perceived as sexier or curvier than me. The strange paradox was, however, that those same kinds of women would continue to try and persuade me to be more like them … more feminine, as they were fond of saying. Nonetheless, in my own unique reality, I was every bit as feminine as they were.I remembered my own story, in those first years as I got into business. I recognized that I loved the logic of business as much as I enjoyed my domestic life. I drove like a man, read maps like a man, and as I moved confidently into my 40’s I was transitioning into a no-nonsense independent, action oriented woman.  And yet I still had a soft underbelly that cried over unnecessarily critical feedback. I maintained an understated femininity on the inside that sought love from a soul-mate and desired the support and respect of the female tribe of which I was a fiercely proud member.

My identity crisis as a woman started slowly gained resolution as I continue to learn more and more about the subject over the years. Because I am now in a position to reveal what I have learned over the years, I am inclined to share my truth with you because it has led me to a rich life filled with emotional expression rooted in professional authenticity and a reputation as a woman of substance in business and in life. If you too have ever felt a lack of identity or felt your self-image to be different to that of your gender peers, then stay with me a little longer.

Seated left with my mother, brothers and sister - I always felt like the 'rebel divorcee' striding out alone in my 50's for what I believed in - whether it was love, independence or affirmation, I searched for true meaning.
Seated left with my mother, brothers and sister – I always felt like the ‘rebel divorcee’ striding out alone in my 50’s for what I believed in – whether it was love, independence or affirmation, I searched for true meaning.

I spent many years forcing myself to diet while continuously trying on clothes that should have made me feel more feminine, frilly and sexy. And yet when I emerged from the dressing room I felt improperly dressed and more often than not, dishonest. I struggled between knowing “I liked myself as a person” and “not liking who I was as a woman”. I was never comfortable as a girly-girl although I admired that quality in my sister and my girlfriends. Even though a tom-boy, I loved clothes and colours. I loved being female and never wanted to be a boy.  I was at last able to identify and articulate the ‘and and’ multi-faceted nature of being a female but happily with a masculine ‘either or’ ‘yes/no’ logical mind set. This was a mindset and physicality combination geared to business of the day yet allowing me the right to retain my value as a woman.

My “ah-ha” moment came about quite naturally, almost by accident, as often things do. I now recognize the Law of Unintended Consequences and my somewhat accidental discovery has enabled me to identify the DNA of Gender Dynamics© for you – for women and men under all circumstances and all diverse factors and all condition including age, culture, sexuality, ethnicity and/or disability. What I have discovery has allowed me to communicate clearly with men and women alike, and has help both parties better understand their Gender Dynamics© types, shapes and genetically imposed dispositions. It helps each and every one of us create a natural blueprint for relationships, professional performance, personal interaction and overall success.  I now am privileged to share, with men and women alike, in all levels of business and enterprise, how they can understand each other, relate to each other, communicate with one another as well as live, breathe and work better with each other … if they so choose.

Performing for NIEW at The Ministry of Women, Malaysia, working with men and women on 'Gender Intelligence Leadership
Performing for NIEW at The Ministry of Women, Malaysia, working with men and women on ‘Gender Intelligent Leadership” I found my passion is to engage men and women in understanding each other.