Shifting the Power Dynamic: 5 Must-Know Facts About Feminine Leadership

A common change we have witnessed in the last few decades is the rise of women in leadership roles because of the unique qualities women bring.

Research has shown that women possess many traits critical for effective leadership, such as empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence.

Women have been proving their worth as leaders for years, and we have seen several examples of successful female leaders in recent times. For instance, Angela Merkel, the former Chancellor of Germany, has been widely praised for her strong leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic; Kamala Harris, the current United States Presidential Vice President and the first woman to occupy that office built a significant milestone for gender equality. Unfortunately, out of the 195 countries worldwide, only 28 are women-led. 

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for feminine leadership more than ever. The crisis spotlighted the importance of collaboration, empathy, and resilience, all traits women are known for. However, despite our progress, we still have a long way before achieving true gender equality in leadership. Women are underrepresented in top leadership positions, and the gender pay gap exists in many countries. 

Nonetheless, the age of feminine leadership is here, and we must embrace it fully.

We must recognise women's unique qualities in leadership and create a world where women have equal opportunities to lead.

Only then can we maximise the power of feminine leadership and create a better world in multiple ways. Five of the ways through which we can strengthen female leadership are: 

#Diversity in leadership: Feminine leadership is not just about women in leadership roles but also about diversity. Recognising and embracing different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds is essential for an inclusive and equitable society.

#The importance of mentorship: One way to support and encourage feminine leadership is through mentorship. Female leaders can act as mentors to guide the next generation of female leaders. Mentorship programs can create a pipeline of talented women ready for leadership roles.

#Changing workplace culture: To achieve true gender equality in leadership, we must change the workplace culture to address issues such as unconscious bias, discrimination, and harassment. We must also create policies and practices that support work-life balance and flexible working arrangements.

#The role of Tech education: Tech Education plays a crucial role in promoting feminine leadership. Women and girls must access opportunities to develop their leadership skills by promoting STEM education for girls and providing leadership training and development programs.

#Collaboration and networking: Collaboration and networking are essential for feminine leadership. Women must support and encourage each other, and organisations must create opportunities for women to connect and collaborate through professional associations, networking events, and mentorship programs. For example, World Pulse which uses technology to amplify women's voices to transform communities, is worthy of note and free to join. The organisation is passionate about feminine leadership.  

Feminine leadership is about recognising and embracing the unique qualities that women bring to leadership.

We need a world where women have equal opportunities to lead, diversity in leadership is valued, and workplace culture supports work-life balance and flexible working arrangements.

We would build an inclusive and equitable society where feminine leadership can thrive through diversity, mentorship, tech education, collaboration, and networking. Now, more than ever before is the time to shift the power!

Credit: An edited lightening talk I gave on the "Age of Feminine Leadership in Tech" at a programme by Las Tecnologistas.