Addressing the gender in -balance in leadership.

Do you remember the saying, “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”? We all know that men and women are different. While acknowledging that the early feminists made great strides to improve a woman’s lot it is now time to dispense with the rivalry. The focus needs to be on how men and women can work along side one another in the work place, and how they can embrace diversity.

Unfortunately, that old glass ceiling is still there. Did you know that although women represent 43% of the total Australian workforce only 3.2% of them have senior executive roles? (Catalyst, the New York-based businesswomen's research organisation partnered with the Equal Opportunity for Women Agency (EOWA) for the first census of its kind in Australia.) LINK? http://www.ceoforum.com.au/200306_leadership.cfm)

It used to be that to break through this ceiling women had to be aggressive and aloof, adopting a style suitable to win over their male counterparts. Nowadays, there is a cultural shift in the workplace. Women are using their emotional intelligence to get the message across. Women are creating a friendly environment in which to work. They are encouraging collaboration, developing an open and honest atmosphere, and portraying themselves as approachable leaders.

Women have identified that to acknowledge the worker as the most important asset in the work place is the key to improving productivity. This is not exclusive to women, but, for so long, many men have led by fear. Their own insecurities have made them defensive, and consequently, aggressive towards their staff. They are a product of early socialisation in childhood – boys are not allowed to cry, but it’s OK for girls to show their emotions.
Women are very effective communicators. They are good at multi-tasking, and they encourage team building. Women will readily ask for help, whereas men feel by doing this they may be perceived as weak. Women derive a lot more support from women-only groups where they can establish a synergy, and, through this rapport building, can garner strength.

One of the greatest strengths women have is their flexibility. Before I married I was rebellious, and very intolerant. When I became a farmer’s wife I realised that I had to change in order to survive. But I didn’t want to lose my independence. So I re-invented myself. Years later, when I returned to the city, another “make-over” was necessary. Through circumstances, women often fall into their careers rather than plan them, and they respond to opportunities when they arise.

It is often inflexibility in the system – long working hours do not sit well with raising children - which drives women to set up their own business as the only way to achieve the work-family balance. Most women today are just as ambitious as their male counter-parts. By providing an atmosphere at work where women can succeed without compromising their family responsibilities, or without betraying their feminine – not feminist – principles, a dynamic and thriving business for both men and women can be created.

By Julianne Kuhlmann
Personal & Leadership Coach
Kool Results
"Putting You First"
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