Leadership A Feminine Revolution: Why Women Are Embracing Femininity In Business As collaboration and empathy become increasingly valued in business, women are capitalising on traditional "feminine" traits to get ahead in the workplace. By Sarah-Jane Collins Leadership As collaboration and empathy become increasingly valued in business, women are capitalising on traditional "feminine" traits to get ahead in the workplace. By Sarah-Jane Collins Previous article Kavanaugh Confirmation: A Divisive Day In Washington Hints At Clashes To Come Next article How Julie Bishop Runs Her Day When Clare Smyth was named “Best Female Chef“ at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants gala in June there was unease in the room about the prize, and what it said about women in the culinary world. Only four of those “50 best” restaurants are run by women, and the industry is notoriously male-dominated. Kitchens are, for want of a better word, pressure cookers, and the men who run them are notorious for testosterone-fuelled behaviour.Smyth, who rose to the top in the kitchen run by the poster-boy of aggressive leadership, Gordon Ramsay, now helms a successful London restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth, and does things very differently. “The approach we take more now is trying to inspire, rather than rule by fear,” Smyth said in an interview with The Guardian. Her style, which includes rigorous staff training and an approach that’s mindful of work-life balance, reflects a quiet revolution at work that is embracing qualities and traits that have long been devalued in the workplace because they are seen as “feminine”. femininitygender diversityworkplace Best Of Future Women Culture “Never an excuse”: Why Katrina still can’t stand the smell of bourbon By Sally Spicer Diamond Meet the leaders: Erin Vincent By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Malini Raj By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Azmeena Hussain By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Shannan Dodson By Odessa Blain Diamond Meet the leaders: Elly Desmarchelier By Odessa Blain Equity A sneak peek inside the sold-out budget event By Odessa Blain Culture Janine never thought divorce would mean losing her family and friends By Sally Spicer Your inbox just got smarter If you’re not a member, sign up to our newsletter to get the best of Future Women in your inbox.