Today’s business environment demands new ways of working and leading. An era like this demands emphatic leaders who are committed to communication, collaboration, and teamwork, focusing their attention on people. These skills have grown in importance in recent years, but the COVID-19 pandemic (along with the economic crisis and uncertainty it has caused around the world) has only highlighted their value. Fortunately, there is a group of people, which has the necessary qualities for this, already an integral part of the organizations e.g. Women. It is unfortunate though that very few of the companies take this group serious when it comes to leadership.
Women tend to be very empathetic and possess highly developed emotional intelligence. They tend to be better at practicing active listening and ask for ideas, collaborate, acknowledge the merit of others, and change course when circumstances require. Studies suggest that the collective intelligence of small groups increases when there are more women in them. Furthermore, companies with greater gender parity are more innovative than their competitors and record better financial results.
Of course, we are not assuming that all women have the kinds of skills we just named, just as we will not discuss why they are more likely to have them, but for companies looking for the type of managerial talent necessary to be successful. In today’s business environment, the underlying explanation is less important than the urgent need to work and lead with new principles and work philosophy. Companies can move faster and faster by striving to attract, retain and nurture their female talent pools.
Women are conquering more and more levels of power. They are breaking stereotypes, showing that they also have an assertive and confident leadership style. The stereotype is that women have a more participatory, democratic, and negotiating leadership style. Our experiences with women influencing organizations form these stereotypes.
The female leadership style is more persuasive; it is usually willing to take innovative risks and has a focus on collaborative work. It is a kind of conciliatory leadership open to dialogue, where women and girls with their characteristics can empower themselves and guide a group of people giving their best. This world must empower them creating plentiful opportunities for this leadership style. We must break stereotypes and dare to take office so that our society is more equitable while participation is not for some women only but for all. It is necessary to promote female leadership, especially in this time of crisis, where it is important to have their skills, methodologies, and knowledge to achieve great changes, improve, and to bridge gaps.
Contributed by:
Kalsoom Zehra Zaidi