06/24/2026
The business world I joined in the 90s looked very different than the one we navigate today. Early in my career, my style mirrored the men around me: direct, concise, and highly controlled. I thought that projecting absolute certainty and hiding any hint of team anxiety was what made a leader credible.
But a recent Harvard Business Review article on the concept of the Octopus Organization reminded me of how much that rigid, machine-like mindset has failed us.
An octopus is biological, not mechanical. Its arms do not simply wait for commands from the brain; they sense, decide, and act independently, yet work in perfect concert. When we treat organizations like machines with levers to pull, we treat people like things.
Women actually hold a proven leadership advantage here. Research shows that our higher average emotional intelligence allows us to build the relational, high-trust environments this decentralized style requires. Yet, traditional frameworks like servant leadership often miss the mark by teaching women to be subservient rather than how to step into authentic power.
The goal is not to do everything for everyone. It is about using your influence to build an inclusive culture where people feel true ownership.
These foundational shifts are exactly what I built into my Essentials course. We focus on directional clarity, using influence to inspire rather than mandate, and learning how to step out of the command-and-control mindset. You do not need to redesign your entire org chart to start leading this way. You just need to notice one place where you are holding the reins tighter than required, and let go.
If you are ready to shift how authority flows in your team, my Essentials course is the place to start.
https://www.amplifiedexecutives.com/essentials