Women in Leadership
I am extremely passionate about supporting and encouraging the increased presence of women in leadership roles. Having held leadership roles in the past I have seen first hand the benefits of having a female leader take charge, using a combination of rational thinking and empathetic understanding.
There has long been a certain assumption attached to a leadership role, across all industries, roles and organisations. That assumption being; it is a role that is predominantly held by a male. The statistics are also there to prove it.
Having worked in a leadership role that is affiliated with a male dominated industry, it is true that I have seen it all.
I’ve heard it all too.
Shifting this assumption, this ‘accepted way of thinking’, to ensure that my role as a female leader is equally respected has become a priority of mine. While the role I played as a leader was a challenging one for all, there’s no doubt that being a female added a little bit of extra spice when it came to obtaining respect from those around me.
My triumphs and struggles as a female leader have taught me that there are no restrictions on what we can achieve. And, although the assumptions are slowly dissolving, it is so incredibly important to acknowledge the key factors that allow women to feel confident about dominating a role as a leader within both a specialised industry, and larger community.
Here’s what I’ve learnt:
Perseverance
Being a female leader is fuelled by perseverance. After all, it’s how we have collectively gotten to this point.
Perseverance is a key attribute that many female leaders acquire. It’s because it is the foundation of a ‘never give up’ attitude that genuinely works towards a greater good. It was perseverance that allowed me to strengthen relationships with colleagues, and it was perseverance that allowed me to become a respected leader in my field.
Overcoming obstacles becomes part of the journey and is the fuel behind the fire once the greater good is achieved.
Logic and Emotion
Logic and emotion are a formidable force.
One of the greatest contributions a female leader can bring to any role is the ability to apply logic and emotion at the right time. Individually, they are able to run corporations. But, used together, logic and emotion are able to break barriers and move mountains.
Logic and emotion work together to create, and provide, a platform of assistance and understanding to all internal and external stakeholders, and introduces an empathetic approach to roles that would usually be seen as incredibly structured.
As a female leader, it is important to embrace our natural instincts and remember that they are in fact a benefit, rather than a curse.
Identity
Understand yourself.
Having a sense of identity has been one of the mitigating factors in determining how, and when, I take on leadership roles. Yes, I was always thankful for my ability to lead such a diverse and well-respected team. However, it was my sense of self that allowed me to fulfil that role into the best that it can be.
While social stereotypes and statistics may be held against you, nothing can measure against your sense of self. Be sure to understand who you are, what you stand for, and how you can best improve your being while contributing to the wider role.
It is this sense of self that enables women in leadership to step up and get on with a role that requires an uncanny ability to mix emotional intelligence with on-the-job assistance.
While the stereotype still stands in some industries, it is certainly important to note that there are no restrictions on who can (or who cannot) perform a certain leadership role. What’s more is that there are certainly no restrictions on who can or cannot perform the job to its ultimate potential. It’s all about the person, not the gender.
However, being a woman in a leadership role has its triumphs and struggles and this is why it is incredibly important to be able to tackle the assumptions, silence the statistics, and bring about change that will enable a better future for all.
