THE IMPORTANCE OF WOMEN LEADERS

I’ve been following the United States presidential run with keen interest. I am mostly interested because there is a woman running against someone who has been  a president before. But most importantly, I laugh at how she is reminded that she is a woman at every chance. It’s really no different from what happens here at home during national elections.

But, how seriously should we take this gap in women leadership, in this day and age? It is interesting to know that since 2016, women in senior leadership roles across various industries have been on the rise, with the technology, information, and media sectors leading the way, according to the 2023 Gender Gap report by the World Economic Forum. Women bring distinct qualities that significantly enhance organisational success. They approach leadership with a heightened capacity for empathy, connection-building, and inclusiveness, according to years of research on female executives.

Noticed

These traits emphasise the contributions they make as leaders. I’ve also noticed how successful local organisations can be when led by women and, in actual fact, the youth. I once worked for a youth-led organisation that had mostly young people as project officers and volunteers and it turned out to be one of the organisations that did the most in communities. Women and the youth are ambitious and powerful and bring exceptional skills and capabilities to their leadership roles. This includes their superior performance in areas like initiative-taking, resilience, and self-development, alongside strengths in driving results, integrity, developing others, and inspiring teams. Women possess a ‘leave no one behind’ mentality and that is a good quality for community growth and development.

Flexible

Women leaders often understand the importance of flexible working arrangements and are typically advocating and implementing such policies. This flexibility can manifest in various forms, such as remote working options, flexible hours or accommodating different working styles. Doing so creates a more adaptable and responsive work environment, which can be particularly be valuable for all employees balancing work with other life commitments. As we strive towards a more equitable future in the corporate and political worlds, we must focus on filling the pipeline with qualified women candidates and fixing the ‘broken rung’ that often impedes their progression to senior leadership roles. By creating more accessible pathways and eliminating systemic barriers at crucial career junctures, we empower women to realise their leadership potential and enrich organisations and communities with diverse perspectives and innovative approaches.

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