Gender should never determine someone’s leadership abilities. Instead, companies should look at an individual’s personality traits, leadership abilities, and gravitas. This way, they can appoint leaders who can lead by example and inspire their team.
Unfortunately, women usually aren’t encouraged to assume leadership positions in organizations. While the gap between men and women in leadership roles is decreasing, there’s still a massive disparity between them. In fact, according to a 2019 study conducted by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey, women only hold 21% of C-suite positions!
Women are excellent leaders who have the relevant soft skills to help them excel in their positions – sometimes even surpassing their male counterparts. Additionally, women are often more communicative, empathetic, and great listeners – all these qualities make them exceptional leaders.
Here are a few other reasons why more women should be in leadership positions:
Women Regulate Work-Life Balances Efficiently
Women are effective leaders because they can balance professional and interpersonal skills. This also makes them effective mentors since they can easily form open and communicative relationships with the people they work with. For example, it’s usually less intimidating to approach a woman leader if you have a sensitive question or personal request.
Women leaders are also usually more empathetic and care about their employees’ home and work lives, helping employees have a healthier work-life balance.
Women Are Strong Communicators
Women leaders are effective communicators. Most women leaders can explain clear expectations to their team for a certain project or event. This way, teams can complete the project without any confusion.
Additionally, women leaders often find a way to strike a balance between requirements and creativity. As a result, they can give instructions to teams and not in a way that hinders their creativity and opinions. This is crucial for creating an inclusive work environment where employees feel valued and engaged.
Women leaders often use their effective communication skills to build relationships with team members, employees, superiors, and clients.
Women Have High Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to recognize and understand your emotions and that of others. When you have high emotional intelligence, you’re able to understand, use, and manage your own feelings and effectively communicate and empathize with others. Lakshmi Raj, Co-founder, and Co-CEO of Replicon believes that emotional intelligence comes more naturally to women than men.
In order to create a productive and inclusive work environment, leaders need to demonstrate emotional intelligence. This way, they can diffuse conflicts and manage stressful situations with ease.
Women Are Team-Orientated
According to Katharine M. Nohr, Principal, Nohr Sports Risk Management, the women she’s worked with typically show more passion, enthusiasm, and willingness to serve their teammates and be served by others. She also mentioned that the work environment feels more collaborative, democratic, and family-like – and with a solid leadership presence.
While women make fantastic and inspiring leaders, they’re often not given equal opportunities as their male counterparts. As a result, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions and in the political field. According to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center, 40% of the participants believe higher standards for women and lack of readiness by companies to hire women for leadership roles are major reasons why there are so few women in leadership positions.
At Corporate Class we strive to support women leaders and for that reason we offer a two-day customizable executive presence workshop for women. This way, women can expand on their leadership skills and take the political and business world by storm!
Women in Fortune 500 companies have participated in this inclusive and interactive program. Women who attend this workshop will learn how to project confidence, surpass barriers, and voice their opinions. This way, they can accelerate their career, lead by example, and inspire their teams!
Who should attend this workshop?
This workshop can be customized for all levels:
- High-potential and emerging leaders
- Senior management
- Established leaders
Note: This program offers a safe and open space for women, transgender, and non-binary people. We work together to create an inclusive experience.
If you want your company to have more women in leadership, contact us today!
