Lead “Like a Woman”: The Benefits of Gender Diversity in Leadership

As a young educator, I encountered the misconception that leading like a man was the key to becoming a successful leader. Throughout my early years as a leader, I often noticed the detrimental pattern that women were not taken seriously or promoted unless they exhibited male leadership traits. Those traits included stereotypical masculine traits such as assertiveness, arrogance, and over-competitiveness. Unfortunately, leading like a man is still perceived by some as a desirable leadership style for women today, and we continue to struggle to obtain senior leadership positions. Gender diversity in leadership is not yet the common narrative.

While men have been successful leading in their own way, there is a need and great benefit to having more Women in leadership positions. Women do not need to display stereotypical male leadership traits to lead with strength and to lead successfully.

Gender Diversity Fosters Success

One of the main benefits of having women in leadership positions is that we bring a different perspective and experience to the organization. Research has shown that diverse teams outperform homogeneous teams in terms of creativity and innovation. Women tend to approach problem-solving and decision-making differently than men, which can lead to more effective solutions. When diverse perspectives are considered in decision-making, it leads to better outcomes that make organizations successful.

Empathy in Leadership

Empathy and emotional intelligence are also important traits that women bring to leadership positions. Women tend to be strongly empathetic and emotionally intelligent, which can lead to better relationships with team members and other stakeholders. This can help to build trust and loyalty, and create a more positive work environment. When leaders are empathetic, they are better able to understand and respond to the needs of their team members and create a healthy culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

Collaboration and Teams

Collaboration is another area where women tend to excel in leadership roles. Women tend to be more collaborative and inclusive in their leadership style, which can help to build stronger teams and foster a culture of cooperation and teamwork. When leaders are able to bring people together and encourage them to work together towards a common goal, it will lead to better outcomes and a more positive work environment.

Diversity is $trength

Financial performance is also an area where companies with more women in leadership positions also tend to excel. Research has shown that companies with more gender-diverse teams tend to have better financial performance than those with fewer women in leadership. This could be because gender-diverse teams are better at problem-solving, innovation, and decision-making. Diversity in lived experiences and diverse ideas create stronger teams.

Women as Mentors

And Finally, when women are in leadership positions, they serve as role models for other women and girls. By breaking down gender stereotypes and challenging traditional gender roles, women in leadership positions inspire other women and girls to pursue leadership roles themselves. I am a leader today because of the female leaders and mentors that inspired me, coached me, and paved a trail for many more. Female leaders develop future female leaders and create a more equitable society.

Gender Diversity is Equity

As you can see, gender diversity in leadership has great benefits. Women bring unique perspectives, empathy, collaboration, and performance to the table. When we are in leadership positions, we inspire other women and girls to pursue leadership roles. Organizations that believe in prioritizing gender diversity in leadership are likely to be more successful in the long run and create a more equitable and inclusive workplace and society.

Leading like a Woman is strength and we do not have to emulate men.

Leading like a Woman IS strong leadership.

References

Chamorro-Premuzic T. and Gallop, C. (2020). 7 Leadership Lessons Men Can Learn from Women. Harvard Business Review. Accessed 4/18/2023 at: https://hbr.org/2020/04/7-leadership-lessons-men-can-learn-from-women

Sharp Emerson, Mary (2022). The Benefits of Promoting Gender Diversity in Leadership. Harvard Division of Continuing Education. Accessed: 4/14/2023 at: benefits-of-promoting-gender-diversity-in-leadership