The Sunday Mail
Women & Leadership
Maggie Mzumara
According to the Replicon website, which compiles views from different executives, the following are reasons why women make great leaders.
Women view work
more holistically
In contrast to men, who tend to be career-centric and want to maximise their financial return from work, women view work more holistically, as a component of their overall life plan.
They value work-life balance
Women are great leaders because they are able to balance professional and personal leadership skills. It is easier to approach a women leader with a personal request, or a sensitive question. They care about team and their well-being, which includes their performance at work and their work-life balance.
Women are usually
great mentors
Women are more proactive in becoming mentors, and usually they already have such open and communicative relationships with colleagues that the transition from colleague or boss to mentor is easy.
They are empathetic
Most women are naturally empathetic and value relationships. This enables them to have a strong understanding of what drives and motivates people, and how to acknowledge different people for their performance.
They make great listeners
Women make great leaders because they take the time to listen instead of reacting right away.
They appreciate people and their viewpoints. Whether they are right or wrong, they hear people out and then make their decision.
They are nurturing
One of the crucial aspects of leadership is the ability to help team members to develop their own skills and strengths. Women are naturally nurturing, which often helps those around them succeed.
They focus on teamwork
Women consistently demonstrate passion, enthusiasm and an immense capacity to serve and be served by others.
They are more co-operative
The environment is less authoritarian and more co-operative and family-like, but with solid leadership.
They are good at multitasking
Women are natural multitaskers. The ability to decisively and quickly respond to simultaneous and different tasks or problems at a time is a critical component to successful leadership.
They are motivated
by challenges
They are creative problem-solvers motivated by obstacles. The desire to overcome a challenge fuels women to get things accomplished.
They are great communicators
Communication is said to be among a woman’s strongest skill — and female leaders know how to use it. Whether communicating with employers, co-workers, or partners, an open communication stream allows for clarity in executing roles and responsibilities. Female leaders are able to communicate regularly, clearly and openly.
◆ Maggie Mzumara is a communication, media and leadership strategist with a passion for leadership for women. This article is written in her personal capacity. She can be reached on [email protected] or followed on Twitter at @magsmzumara
