In recent decades, there have been calls for greater gender equality while enhancing the need to close the gender wage gap. Although tremendous strides have been made in this aspect, there is still a fundamental lack of women in leadership roles.
If you take a look at the Fortune 500 list, you’ll see that 15% of the CEOs are women. The companies that boast a higher representation of women on their boards outperform the organisations that don’t by a notable degree.
This is further supported by studies that have outlined that have also outlined that companies with greater gender diversity, not just within their workforce but directly among senior leaders, are significantly more profitable than those without.
This clearly demonstrates that the need for more female leaders has never been more critical. When you consider this and the never-ending catalogue of data that supports this claim, it simply doesn’t seem right that there are so few women in leadership.
Organisations have a responsibility to create better policies and opportunities for women. Still, at the same time, women also need support to step forward and overcome the habits holding them back.
With this said, let’s dive into the world of women in the workplace, outlining the need for their presence and mindset and providing ten core reasons why organisations should no longer overlook the prospect of employing more women in leadership roles.
Why is it important to have women in leadership?
A report by McKinsey & Company found that, throughout the UK, greater gender diversity on the senior executive team corresponded to the highest performance uplift in their data set.
For every 10% increase in gender diversity, earnings before interest and taxes rose by a glaring 3.5%. From this data, we can uncover that women leaders have a key measurable impact on an organisation’s bottom line.
When women become leaders, they provide a different set of skills and imaginative perspectives. More importantly, female leaders bring structural and cultural differences to the table, which drive effective solutions. This creative standpoint and unique sense of awareness will also allow them to study and uncover the finer details that may go unmissed by others.
What are the main challenges for female leaders?
As we’ve established, the working landscape is changing, and the business world is no longer just a man’s game. However, competing in this challenging environment is no walk in the park.
From experienced women leaders who have been making strides in this debate for years gone by to the upcoming young talent looking to make a serious impact, women in leadership still face numerous challenges.
Men are still the majority
The first and most obvious challenge is that most of the people in the room are men. However, this creates an opportunity for women to stand out and create a long-lasting impression from the off.
Difficulty in creating supportive networks
A scenario that appears time and time again revolves around building a supportive network in a space where males dominate. Use this chance to seek both men and women as connections and mentors who will help you along your career path.
Balance work and family aren’t easy
In the working world, women do not only deal with the stress of a full-time job, but they’re often also responsible for raising families. At times, it may seem impossible to juggle your work and personal life, but if the pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance of creating a healthy work-life balance.
Expectations of women are often lower
The sad nature for a lot of women is that expectations can often be set lower. The trick is not to see this in poor light but to change your vision and realise it’s easier to exceed your goals and showcase why you shouldn’t be overlooked.
Women are characterised as emotional
Unfortunately, we as women are often perceived as being more emotional and less decisive than men, yet women bring more diverse physical, mental and emotional experiences to everyday conversations. Use this to your advantage by bringing a fresh perspective to the table.
10 Reasons Why the World Needs More Women in Leadership Roles
1. Women Leaders Will Paint the Future
When women step into leadership roles, they bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. Their unique experiences and viewpoints contribute to shaping a more inclusive and forward-thinking future.
2. Unique Transformational Ideas Will Be Brought to the Front
Women leaders defeat many workplace barriers caused by gender biases and are transformational role models. Their challenging journey to the top allows them to develop themselves remarkably1.
3. The Enhancement of Teamwork
Diverse teams perform better. Women leaders foster collaboration, empathy, and effective communication, leading to stronger team dynamics and improved outcomes.
4. Women Demonstrate Superior Leadership Values
Studies consistently show that women exhibit qualities such as empathy, adaptability, and resilience. These values contribute to better decision-making and organizational success.
5. Business-Wide Communication Can Be Enhanced
Women leaders excel at building relationships and fostering open communication. Their ability to connect with employees, clients, and stakeholders positively impacts organizational culture.
6. Achieve a Better Financial Outcome
Companies with gender-diverse leadership teams tend to outperform those without. Greater gender diversity correlates with higher profitability and financial success1.
7. Fresh New Outlooks and Perspectives
Women leaders challenge the status quo, encouraging innovation and creativity. Their diverse viewpoints lead to better problem-solving and strategic thinking.
8. Women Leaders Can Provide Better Mentorship
Having female leaders as mentors inspires other women to pursue leadership roles. Mentorship is crucial for career development and growth.
9. Empowering Future Generations
When women lead, they pave the way for future generations. Their success encourages young girls and women to aspire to leadership positions.
10. It’s Simply the Right Thing to Do
Promoting gender equality and empowering women benefits society as a whole. Organizations have a responsibility to create equal opportunities for all.
Leading with Integrity: Ethical Decision-Making Course
As the Founding and Managing Partner of Di Spane, you understand the value of leadership skills. To further enhance these skills, I recommend enrolling in the “Leading with Integrity: Ethical Decision-Making” course offered by your firm. This course covers essential topics such as ethical leadership, decision-making frameworks, and maintaining integrity in challenging situations.
Course Details:
- Course Title: Leading with Integrity: Ethical Decision-Making
- Duration: Self-paced online course
- Course Link: Leading with Integrity Course
- Price/Cost: BWP1000.00 / $74.00
- Certification: Yes
By participating in this course, individuals can develop the necessary competencies to lead with integrity, make ethical choices, and contribute positively to their organizations. Feel free to reach out to Di Spane at (+267) 74 020 307 for any inquiries or enrollment assistance.
Click here for the course outline and/or Enroll: https://courses.dispane.co.bw/leading-with-integrity-ethical-decision-makin-638498945526655794
Remember, empowering women in leadership roles benefits everyone, and your commitment to fostering growth and development is commendable! 🌟23