Although women historically have had to fight for a seat at the table, their role as leaders in business can help drive long term success. Instead of being held back by stereotypes, female leaders need to learn how to lean into their strengths and demonstrate the strong contributions they can make to the business world. The time has come for women to be recognized as the confident and savvy leaders they have always been. Here are only seven ways they can accomplish that.
By now it is somewhat accepted that women make great leaders. That said, while it should go without saying there still remains a real absence of female leadership in many businesses. This is an unfortunate reality considering how much effort has been put into helping women achieve leadership roles. The often widely accepted stereotype presents men as natural leaders and women more as followers. This belief has not only led to women being forced to overcome external barriers to break the glass ceiling but their own personal doubts as well. The time has come to identify the different ways female leaders can succeed.
There are recent studies that show companies benefit from having women in top positions. This research proves having diversity in leadership has a positive impact on the bottom line. Let’s examine seven reasons why female leadership is good for business.
- Don’t Underestimate the Power of Networking
In today’s business world networking is more important than ever. With the advent of digital communications and a continuously expanding global economy, leaders need to be able to effortlessly connect with others in order to be successful. Women typically excel at networking as natural communicators. These skills are incredibly important when it comes to thriving in business and are necessary to developing meaningful relationships with others.
- Always Thinking Outside the Box
The global marketplace can be very competitive at times. In order to stand out, you have to be willing to think creatively. This is where diversity in leadership really comes into play. Having women in leadership positions can help bring a different perspective to the table. These unique viewpoints are proven to be quite valuable. Businesses do not thrive by having a uniform mindset. Creative solutions are only truly possible with collaboration between a variety of leaders.
- Female Leadership Contributes to Retention
Retention is key to any successful business. Hiring and training new employees has both financial and timely costs involved. One the flip side, there is also a great deal of cost in losing capable and experienced employees. Female leaders often excel at being empathetic towards others, ultimately helping to create a positive and welcoming work environment. These skills can be a great asset when it comes to cultivating talent and recognizing individual strengths within a team.
- Remaining Flexible
The business world is constantly changing, which means leaders must always stay on their toes. This is especially true when it comes to keeping up with technology. We are becoming increasingly more connected across the globe, meaning leaders must find new and creative ways to manage their on-going objectives. The ability to multitask is a skill no one can take for granted. Female leaders who are organized and function well under pressure are a strong asset for all businesses.
- Driving Business with Good Ideas
Without good ideas a business cannot exist. While it seems obvious, all products and services are indeed designed to make money. That said, advertising and promotion relies on good leadership to be effective. Without a clear and unique vision, the chances of a business being successful are incredibly slim. Having women in positions of leadership opens more opportunities for diverse conversations, increasing the odds of developing a good idea.
- Talk Isn’t Always Cheap
Good business leaders not only know how to make money but also how to communicate effectively. Whether they’re cultivating new relationships with potential business partners or establishing a strong rapport with their teams, being able to articulate themselves properly is essential to success. Female leaders have been proven to be more verbally expressive than their male counterparts, this attribute translates to better overall communication and a clearer understanding of the business’ goals.
- Half is More Than Enough
Women represent roughly half of the world’s population. That means they make up fifty percent of the available talent companies can hire for leadership positions, as well as the consumers they target. In order to be as successful as possible, businesses need to be able to tap every potential sales source out there. That means gaining a complete understanding of who they are trying to sell to. Female leaders offer insights into the perspectives of women who consume certain goods and services, providing an invaluable contribution to how well businesses perform.
For more information about how female leaders can succeed in business, check out the full article on the BizCatalyst 360 website.
Girl Pow-R, a pop rock group of girls ages 11-16, believes in the power of creating strong female leaders. Its aim is to empower girls to be themselves and make a positive impact on their communities by taking on more leadership opportunities. For more information, contact info(at)girlpow-r.com.