For ages, women have been pitied against men for their leadership skills. Their fire ‘to lead’ was tried to douse with words such as aggressive, bossy, and unladylike.
But women have been unstoppable.
Slowly and steadily, they have broken barriers and shattered the glass ceilings to emerge as empathetic leaders your business needs in the current scenario.
Their rise in leadership positions in the cut-throat, competitive corporate world has been phenomenal.
From Indira Nooyi to Sheryl Sandberg, from Oprah Winfrey to Michelle Obama, each of these women has fought racial and cultural battles and crossed all the barriers with their guts, dedication, and determination.
They all did it with poise, elegance, and finesse.
In today’s newsletter, I will discuss this phenomenal journey of women in leadership and how they are changing the dynamics of the corporate world.
The Rise of Women Leaders
With the rise in the noise around gender equality, there has been a rise in women leaders.
Should we blow a trumpet here, or should we drumroll and announce the rise of women leaders?
Honestly, there is nothing to be proud of. At least, not yet.
Reason: The rise is slow, steep, and still an uphill climb.
Don’t believe us. Consider this.👇
↳ As of 1st October 2024, there are 29 countries where 30 women serve as Heads of State and/or Government.
↳ Only 19 countries have a woman Head of state, and 17 countries have a woman Head of Government.
↳ Data compiled by UN Women reveal that women represent 23.3% of Cabinet members heading ministries.
↳ Only 19 countries have a woman Head of State, and 17 countries have a woman Head of Government.
This is despite all the noise around gender parity, diversity, and equity.
As per the report by the UN Women, at the current rate, gender equality in the highest position of power will not be reached for another 130 years.
Mentorship and Networking: The Powerful Assets
Mentorship and networking are the two most important assets in the corporate world. Often neglected or side-tracked, mentoring can help you deal with and navigate workplace challenges with the ease of a pro.
Networking is not merely exchanging business cards; it is about building relations and following up on your connections to exchange information and opportunities.
A mentor, based on their experiences, can offer advice and suggest ways to overcome obstacles and emerge as a winner.
Female mentors can offer guidance on
👉 Overcoming gender bias
👉 Managing work-life balance
👉 Boosting self-confidence
Mentors can also facilitate networking and advocacy that empowers women to build supportive networks and achieve collective success.
And when women embrace structured approaches and develop effective communication skills, they can surmount challenges, reduce risks, and unlock their full potential in the realm of business and leadership
Few benefits of mentorship for women.
↳ It can unlock career advancement.
↳ It can help women balance work with confidence.
↳ It can help you tailor networking and collaboration communication.
↳ It can help boost your self-confidence and facilitate your growth.
To put it simply, mentorship and networking programs for women are essential for them to navigate the complex business world with greater ease.
Mentors can help address several challenges, including weak communication skills, lack of self-confidence, and gender bias.
Women Leaders: What Strengths Do They Bring to The Table
When Kavita N Ramdas, an American activist, said,
“We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free.”
What she meant was how women, with their compassion and intuitiveness, bring
👉 Collaborative and inclusive – leadership style in an organization.
👉 Empathy and emotional intelligence – two most crucial elements when dealing with millennials.
👉 Effective communication – styles that make your employees open up with each other and with their managers.
👉 Resilience and adaptability – their core strengths as women, which they bring to your organization.
👉 Holistic approach to decision-making – taking into consideration the impact it will have on employees and organizations.
👉 Relationship building – is another strength of women that they bring to the table as leaders.
Whenever we talk about leadership qualities, we talk about:
Active Listening skills
Empathy
Positive Attitude
Determination
Excitement and Engagement
Resiliency
A strong Support system
Women leaders have all these qualities in abundance.
Women in Business: What Does the Future Entail
The future looks promising for women in business as they will bring
↳ Innovation in decision-making, how the businesses are conducted, and in general.
↳ Women in leadership roles will be catalysts of impending change.
↳ Additionally, they are known to score higher on soft skills as compared to their male counterparts.
↳ Women entrepreneurs ensure they build their businesses around the principles of sustainability and social impact.
↳ They are not afraid of using technology to innovate, streamline operations, and reach wider markets.
This is a glimpse of the future for women in business.
Why Must Organizations Support Women Leadership
To stay ahead of the competition and bring diversity to your organization, you, as a business house, must support women in leadership. Organizations must support women in leadership roles to …
Harness the unique wealth of experiences women bring to the table.
Build inclusive work environments.
Inspire the next generation of leaders.
Improve the impact of community and industry on an organization.
When organizations understand what women in leadership roles bring to the table, they start supporting women’s leadership and find ways to help them grow in leadership positions.
Final Words
While women have been making waves in leadership roles in various industries, the journey is still a steep uphill climb. To ensure more and more women take up leadership roles, we as organizations must help them achieve their goals through a work environment that is conducive to their growth.
Does your organization support women in leadership? If so, how?
Please share your views in the comments. We would love to hear from you.
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