Does Eco-Feminism Hold the Keys to a Better Future?
08/21/2010 - By Alexandra Telluselle
Balancing ourselves, balances nature.
In a world crumbling down due to recession and climate disasters, the need for a union between Spirit and Science seem called for. I see the growing green movement as a means for increasing organizational performance.
The time when we could have one persona at work and another at home, has ended. Our actions affect the whole all the time and we need to develop a higher sense of integrity and moral coming from a true respect to nature as part of all things sacred. This becomes the foundation for social responsibility and
promoting the fair and equal treatment of all people. Eco-Feminists include treating Earth as we want to be treated ourselves and in our relationships.
Throughout our history, the patriarchal structure is based on a notion of a male being superior and thus “entitled” to oppress both women and nature. If we question this assumption of the male gender as an authority, not by creating a war between genders, but in order to level up ourselves to a neutrality, the world can be seen in a different perspective.
Adding soft values - feminine attributes – to leadership becomes increasingly important to succeed in a globalized world where every endeavor is based on networking and relationships, often formed across borders and piercing through cultural barriers. These attributes includes a high Emotional Intelligence,
such as present listening, empathy and an emphasis on process over result. We need to focus on not only what needs to be done, but how we are carrying out our everyday business. This may mean adding another dimension for men in leadership-positions as well as encourage women to become leaders. It is however
important to recognize that women often are driven by other factors then men:
“For most women who become leaders, it is not the desire for the position nor the power that motivates them to seek the higher leadership positions, rather it is their commitment to a compelling vision of what society could be, or should be.” (Nancy Adler).
Eco-Feminism provide us with such a vision as it spells out its principles:
• A belief in the interconnectedness of all forms of life that each act affects the whole.
• We need to go from exerting power over others to support the growing of finding power within.
• Process determines outcome.
• Diversity is needed in the system to maintain stability.
• All life is sacred, therefor our connections should be with a sense of sacredness.
The best way for an organization to achieve its goal is to align it with its employees'. All humans have an existential longing for a meaningful purpose in life and I suggest that healing Earth can be one. It is by looking at Earth as Source, whether it be as a material resource or a spiritual source, we can adjust
ourselves to a proper moderation of our use. A piece of existentialism needs to be a part of our discussions in the boardroom. We seem to consume more than we create which has put us into a negative balance. This has taken its toll on us both financially, environmentally and health-wise. Can we afford not to change?
By being more aware and in tune with cyclic time and create storytelling with feminine main characters, can we start to expand our thinking. It is no longer about who are the strongest, but how we can care more in our decision making.
Alexandra Telluselle
alexandra@telluselle.com
www.telluselle.com
