Why we need both Yin and Yang energies in entrepreneurship

In a recent publication, Harvard Business Review addressed the dynamics of women's presence in the corporate landscape. The article, backed by data obtained from surveying men, shed light on perceived strategies for a woman’s success in the boardroom, and to no surprise, the answers boiled down to, “Women should act more like men.”

In the cut throat corporate domain, being “too feminine” has long been associated with gentleness, while on the flip side, being “too masculine” has possibly led to excessive burnout and anxiety. As the current generation moves away from limiting gender stereotypes, there has been a growing awareness of the potential of tapping into both our energies—masculine and feminine. According to corporate psychology, the functions of the brain typically associated with masculine energy are: rationality, logic, linear thinking and understanding, while the functions associated with feminine energies are feelings of nurturing, caring, compassion and empathy. The balance between the two is what constitutes a solidly grounded business.

We live in a world of duality. While we have the beautiful gift of light within us, we also have shadows. We have the Yin and the Yang; and one simply cannot exist without the other.

Last month, at the Middle East launch of US beauty and skincare brand Lyda Beauty, founder Lyda Fischer spoke of starting her business to drive positive change in the world. She entered the vibrant Hollywood beauty industry with an ambition to succeed, but knew that it must be accompanied with a sense of serenity—even if at the cost of speed. “When I launched Lyda Beauty, the future of the brand was a mystery to me. Over the years, the brand evolved into what it is today—a space where the driven and the tranquil walk side by side. Embarking on my spiritual journey was a turning point, illuminating the essence of life as a delicate equilibrium of balance and harmony. Through Lyda Beauty, we touch on these two aspects using the black of Yin for our beauty lines, and the white of Yang in our SKN lines packaging to serve as a powerful reminder to pause, reflect and embrace the core principle of existence – balance!" Lyda explains. Lyda regularly meets the staff working on her product line, to get a sense of their personal well-being.

Arianna Huffington who has championed well-being through her bestselling books Thrive and The Sleep Revolution, and her well-being platform Thrive Global, believes that in today’s busy world, we must strive for “life-work integration”. “While work is obviously important and can give us purpose and meaning in our lives, it shouldn’t take the place of life,” she says. “Work is a part of a thriving life, but life should come first”, drawing a reference to the Yin and Yang energies that exist within us.