Instead of telling women leaders to work, act or deal like men, it’s about time we focus on learning from them. Although many people at the top of the organizations are men, studies show that women also have what it takes to lead effectively.
These women leaders have a vital role around the world. They represent and showcase the abilities of women everywhere. Everyone agrees that some of the most powerful and capable leaders in the history of the world are women.
According to a study, about 65% of women, compared to 56% of men, stated that they view leaders as someone who shares their knowledge and connects with their colleagues to help the team and business.
Here we will discuss some good leadership skills, 8 top researched characteristics that a woman leader should have, and the best platform to master these qualities.
What is a Good Leader?
The best definition of A leader is that one who leads, commands a group, organization, or nation. A leader acts as the frontline person to lead all of those following him towards success.
According to John C Maxwell,
“A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
A good leader is a person who can perform leadership duties with utmost brilliance and excellence.
Women as Leaders:
Women are less likely to be associated with leadership than men because of stereotypes and old-school thoughts about women’s leadership performance. But, this is the 21st Century, and a lot has changed. Women are showing their potential and credibility by climbing high levels of success and leading some of the best organizations in the world.
Top 8 Characteristics that make A Good Women Leader:
Some women leaders want to learn about leadership but don’t know where to start.
According to Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook:
“Leadership is about feeling others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”
Following are the top 8 characteristics that make a good women leader:
1. Self-Assurance:
Knowing yourself is the first step of knowing others. Self-awareness and assurance let one know about their limitations and strengths. It protects women from being under-confident or false beliefs that others try to incur in them. It is a popular belief that if you want to know the world, know yourself first because the world lies within you.
According to Angelina Jolie, actress, film star and humanitarian:
“Find a sense of self because with that, you can do anything”
So one of the first qualities a good leader should possess is self-knowledge about her strengths and weaknesses.
2. Taking Responsibility:
Being responsible for what you are doing is one of the best qualities a leader possesses. It is a sign of reliability and assurance for others following the leader. It is rightly said that with power comes responsibility, and leadership is a big responsibility.
Research conducted in August 2020 on the Impact of Responsible Leadership on Responsible Employees found that there is a positive correlation between responsible leadership and responsible employee with sustainable leadership.
3. Good Management Skills:
One of the core skills every good leader possesses is good management skills. The leader always carries the burden of managing multi-tasks, projects, employees, and organizations simultaneously. So, to achieve these tasks, good management skills are essential.
Good management will always encourage the surrounding people to work proficiently and constructively towards a common goal. It motivates people to work in a well-organized manner.
Arianna Huffington, Co-Founder of the Huffington post says:
“We think mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in a work, instead of the quality of time we put in”
Paul J. Meyer also described the underlying cause of productivity as good planning and management. He stated that,
“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effect.”
4. Knowledge Expertise:
Knowledge is wealth. One can achieve anything through valuable knowledge used in the right direction. One characteristic every woman leader should have is detailed knowledge about the industry they are working in and general knowledge about other affairs.
This definition of knowledge does not only imply bookish knowledge. Of course, books are undoubtedly a great source of information but the term’ knowledge expertise’ defines detailed knowledge, latest trends, researches, popular facts and figures, innovative discoveries, and anything that can contribute to the development of ideas and improve the organization affairs.
When the right knowledge is put to great use, it can create “MIRACLES.”
5. A Sound Mind and Body:
A sound mind and sound body are essential to become a good leader. A sound mind focuses on the present happening. It removes any clouds guarding the thought process due to circumstances and situations. It allows a leader to make the right decision at the right time.
Section 12 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 defines sound mind in contracting as:
“A person is said to be of sound mind to make a contract if, at the time when he makes it, one who is capable of understanding it and of forming a rational judgment as to its effect upon his interest.”
A sound mind is of equal importance as a sound body. if there is no sound body, a sound mind cannot physically and functionally execute the tasks to be done.
Oprah Winfrey, an American talk show host, producer, actress and author said that,
“On my own I will just create, and if it works it works, and if it doesn’t. I will create something else. I don’t have any limitations on what I think I could do or be”
6. Magnificent Character:
Last but not least, a good female leader should have a magnificent character. A good code of conduct is something that can lift a person from earth to the sky. People don’t look at other’s status, dressing or qualifications as much as body language and character.
So, a positive and good character can always bear fruitful results for a leader, whether you are in a meeting or assigning tasks to your employees. It builds a relationship of trust and mutual respect in other people’s hearts. And well, who would not like to chat or work for a person with good manners.
Theodore Roosevelt beautifully explained this concept as:
“There is a need for a sound body and even more need of a sound mind. But above mind and above body stands character-the sum of those qualities which we mean when we speak of a man’s force and courage, of his good faith and sense of honor.”
7. Confidence
A confident person is always admired and respected as a leader. It is one of the most important characteristics a leader should have because it builds trust and assurance in a person’s personality. Displaying a bold image can add certainty to the personality of a leader. Most females are seen to be more fearful and at the back end while dealing with affairs that’s a great flaw that needs to be eradicated.
A female leader should always carry an expression of surety and perform every task with the utmost confidence because she is acting as a guide and role model for all those that are following her. In such a setting there is no room for error, and one has to be as perfect as possible.
8. Open-Mindedness:
Open-mindedness is an ability that many leaders lack, and it leads to potential errors. Being open-minded means being able to welcome ideas and situations other than one’s thoughts. Creative minds are present everywhere. While working in an organization many potential employees come up with ideas and plans that can fortune the company in several ways. Being open-minded allows such an opportunity to slide in and take maximum benefits from it. In such a situation if the leader acts conservatively it can lead to massive loss as well as discouragement of the workers.
Females are prone to have more honor and ego issues as compared to males due to which open-mindedness poses a significant challenge for them. By allowing their minds to be open and welcoming any new ideas or thoughts females can become better leaders. To achieve success as a leader, women need to be more open-minded and welcoming to changes
What skills have made them Good Leaders?
The leadership potential of a person depends upon the personality and skills of a person. Women naturally have some skills and characteristics that can help and contribute to a successful business.
One of the best female skills is being “empathetic and encouraging” Women tend to value relationships and keep account of is the driving force of the workers. They motivate and encourage the people on their performance and projects. Women also tend to create a positive environment and diminish conflicts that arise through mutual communication and understanding. Also, women are cooperative and understanding. They keep in mind the intricate details and deadlines of the work and act accordingly.
It is easier to approach and discuss affairs with a women leader because of their warm and cordial behavior. Also, women leaders tend to be creative and innovative. They have an artistic mind that allows them to bring new features and ideas to the working platform. Women create a nurturing environment that helps their team workers to develop and strengthen their abilities. In this way, the whole team grows stronger and learns something new every day.
Women have an innate ability to multitask. They can perform several tasks at hand with such great expertise and timely manner that it’s impossible to neglect them. Women can communicate more openly, friendly, and clearly. They have good communication skills. Whether it’s about communicating with a client, worker, or partner, they can perform it with excellence. Research says that people find it more comfortable to have a conversation with women because of their warm and understanding attitude.
The Solution to Women Leadership Barriers:
According to 2018 statistics, out of 100% of students enrolled in the Harvard Business School MBA Program, 41% were women. Harvard Business School is the no 01 Business School globally, yet only 2.4% of women are at CEO seats at a Fortune 500 company.
Now the question arises what happens to these female students after graduation?
What do they lack in achieving the status of worldwide leaders?
The answer lies in misdirection and the inability to shape up their skills as professional leaders. There are millions of articles on the internet on becoming a good leader and achieving goals and skills. But, very few platforms and services provide them or nurture these newbies to reach their highest potential.
We, in this article, are not only going to provide you well-researched information on becoming a great leader but also introducing you to a platform that can be a life-building milestone for your leadership career as a woman.
An article performing critical analysis on how to make women leaders reach the top discovered that the efforts to increase the women reach the top of the industry are mostly futile because they focus on hollow parameters like cosmetics.
It also stated that instead of blaming society for rendering women incapable or incompetent, women should work on themselves. They should improve their leadership qualities, style, and leading methods.
The study also implies that women should join development platforms that help them enhance their self-belief, personality, and impact without losing their emotional intelligence or genuine self.
We are providing you quality information about becoming a good women leader and the best platform for this purpose. The practical purpose of implementing these qualities can be made easy for you through GLORIA WILLIS CONSULTING SERVICES.
How Can The Qualities of a Good Women Leader Be Achieved?
Most of the time, it’s easy to read the books and articles on the internet, but while starting and working to achieve the qualities of a good women leader, she should be approached to get the necessary guidance and to take the first few important steps. Well, we are here to resolve that problem for you.
A recent study by leadership consultancy Zenger/Folkman focused on male and female leader’s responses to crises. The results were astonishing. The women leaders scored better on 13 out of the 19 competencies consisting of overall leadership effectiveness and emerging 6 points ahead on the engagement of employees.
This study assures that women are born with leadership skills equal to men. It just depends upon how they are nurtured and put to use. GLORIA WILLIS CONSULTING SERVICES is providing just the right platform to achieve the dreams of your life and success.
