For our purposes, suffice it to say that centuries of limited access to power have made us experts in relationship-building. The socialization of girls continues to emphasize the development of relational skills. More than ever, the lives we lead require tremendous adaptability. We must be able to maintain the connective tissue of our relationships

There are new strategies emerging, or being remembered—many would describe this as a shift from a masculine to feminine (or patriarchal to feminist) leadership. I see that, and I think it is also about something beyond all of our binaries—evolving in relationship with our hierarchical tendency.

When I discuss the masculine and feminine in this book, it does not matter whether you identify as male, female, or nonbinary, or what your sexual orientation may be: the masculine and feminine energies are alive within each of us and in our world. That said, there are rules and laws and cultural messages worldwide that specifically affect and dise

Within the culture of individualism and of patriarchy, you can be connected or you can be powerful—but you cannot be both at the same time.