The Athena Doctrine

About the Author

John Gerzema is a best-selling author, speaker, and consultant known for pioneering the use of data to identify social changes and help companies adapt to new trends and demands. His works include The Brand Bubble and Spend Shift. Michael D'Antonio is an author and journalist, a member of a Pulitzer Prize-winning team, and the co-author of Spend Shift. Together, they have co-authored The Athena Doctrine, a book exploring how traditionally feminine values can lead to success in the modern world.

Main Idea

The Athena Doctrine presents the idea that feminine values such as empathy, collaboration, and openness are crucial for success in today's interconnected and fast-paced world. Through global surveys and stories, the authors argue that these traits help create effective leaders, innovative solutions, and prosperous societies.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Athena Doctrine
2. Great Britain
3. Iceland
4. Israel
5. Japan
6. Colombia and Peru
7. Kenya
8. India
9. China
10. Sweden, Germany, and Belgium
11. Bhutan
12. Conclusion: The Age of Athena

Introduction: The Athena Doctrine

In the introduction, Gerzema and D'Antonio discuss how traditionally feminine traits are essential in the modern economy. They highlight the results of a survey conducted with 64,000 people from 13 nations, revealing that many believe the world would be better if men thought more like women. The key traits identified include connectedness, humility, candor, patience, empathy, trustworthiness, openness, flexibility, vulnerability, and balance.

"Today's times require we be more kind and empathetic." - John Gerzema and Michael D'Antonio

The authors use the Greek goddess Athena as a symbol of these traits, emphasizing her intelligence, skill, and fairness. The Athena Doctrine suggests that these values are not only beneficial but necessary for success in the 21st century.

Great Britain

In Great Britain, the authors explore the rise of the "Occupy" movement and the innovative solutions being implemented by individuals and groups. They highlight WhipCar, a company founded by Tom Wright and Vinay Gupta, which allows people to rent their cars to neighbors. This model emphasizes trust and community connection.

• WhipCar: A platform that allows car owners to rent their vehicles to neighbors, fostering trust and reducing risk.

"We think that the human element actually reduced risk." - Tom Wright

The innovation seen in Britain is driven by a commitment to connecting with others and addressing social issues through creative solutions. The emphasis is on cooperation and mutual benefit, qualities that are traditionally associated with feminine values. These efforts demonstrate how individuals can make a significant impact by working together and leveraging trust within their communities.

Iceland

Iceland's response to its economic crisis is another example of Athena values in action. The country focused on social programs and created a new constitution through a democratic and transparent process involving 1,000 randomly selected citizens. This inclusive approach aimed to restore trust and balance within the society.