Why are women better leaders? According to some scholars, women tend to surpass men in consensus-building and certain other skills associated with leadership. Women leaders are more likely to mentor and coach others to create a strong team atmosphere. They encourage genuine collaboration and embrace the empowerment of others. They are passionate about building trust and lasting relationships. Women leaders believe in the power of helping other women.
“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.” Madeleine Albright
So, what makes them better leaders? Here are 3 Obvious Reasons Why Women Make Better Business Leaders:
Women are Persuasive
“Women leaders are more assertive and persuasive, have a stronger need to get things done and are more willing to take risks than male leaders,” according to a study conducted by Caliper, a Princeton-based management consulting firm.
Women possess strong people skills, enabling them to analyze information more accurately, thus, enhancing their persuasive abilities. Unfair advantages of male to female entrepreneurs in the marketplace, force women to work twice as hard to be competitive and so they are natural risk takers.
Women are Risk Takers
Women leaders are resistant to a lot of heavy and unnecessary red tape and will engage in risk taking to come up with innovative solutions to get the job done, efficiently!
A survey by the Simmons School of Management in Boston stated that “women business leaders don’t shy from taking risks, but partake in opportunities considered to be “high-risk” on a regular basis.” In addition, the survey revealed that “though businesswomen embrace risk, they are largely viewed by the business world and mass media as being risk-averse.”
Women are Problem Solvers
When faced with an issue, women prefer to hear the facts, to lay it all on the table; this allows them to analyze the issues to make the most informed decision. Here are 4 quick tips to better problem solving:
- Define the problem: ask who, what, when, where and why?
- Analyze the cause: once identified, solicit help from people who are directly affected and those who can assist you in resolving the problem(s).
- Identify and assess alternatives: Ask for suggestions from everyone and then investigate your alternative(s).
- Implement the solution: after the alternatives are identified and the best possible solutions have been decided, start moving toward implementation. Choose key people to play a role in working towards carrying out the action steps and goals that are in place. Make sure there is a plan to handle any unforeseen problems that may arise.
In closing, what makes a woman a good leader may vary by person? I see a leader as one who empowers, embraces and motivates others to achieve success on their own terms. She is unselfish and always thinking of ways to uplift and help others and ultimately, not wanting anything in return. How do you define a good leader?
Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.
