Leadership and Women in Business World

In our rapidly changing business world, women’s leadership role is constantly evolving. It took centuries of civil right movements and social revolutions to even scratch the surface of the male dominated executive corporate ranks. However, even with more women in leadership roles, it is still considered a phenomenon to see a woman in the highest business levels. How do we, successful businesswomen, to continue our journeys up the corporate ladders to the top?

One of the key identifiers is an ability to develop and utilize our leadership skills. An effective leader leads followers with dignity, and inspires them toward achievement. Indira Gandhi, Madeleine Albright, Margaret Thatcher, Oprah Winfrey, to name just a few of the natural-born leaders. Their leadership styles transpire a true vision; their ability to change the world through that vision is avid. Here are some of the leadership aspects that we could focus on developing.

1. Take risks. Project confidence.
There is a belief out there that women are less risk tolerant. However, it is not so much that women are uncomfortable with risk but that women focus on long-term strategies while men focus on immediate goals. Taking risks is a part of a successful leadership, so believe in yourself, and believe in your ability to lead your team to higher levels of achievement. Knowing how to delegate and motivate your team, are just as vital in reaching your goals.
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2. Engage in Networking
There are numerous resources dedicated to networking for women entrepreneurs. Some of the business opportunities that would engage you in learning more about leadership come through participating in conferences, symposiums, seminars. On a virtual level, some great ways to build networks are to take part in forums, webinars, related blogs, e-mail discussion lists, and chat rooms that somehow relate to your business.
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3. Educate yourself.
Knowledge is power. Your leadership skills could be sharpened through furthering your own education. Make sure to engage in your own research. Present your vision, your strategies, and have your research to back you up. Continue to educate yourself on all professional and personal levels. In recent years, there has been a virtual explosion of books and articles on leadership, as well as journals dedicated to the exploration of leadership qualities, styles and models.

4. Trust your instincts.
Finally, your female sixth sense is better than you are giving it credit for. Study people’s behaviors and listen to your inner voice. Something from within would point you to handle certain people and situations in a certain way. Whenever you catch yourself saying, “I should have listened to myself in a first place!” would mean you inadvertently, or by choice, ignored that voice. When something feels right, it usually IS right; and when it feels wrong, it usually IS wrong.

Article written and contributed by Kamilla Kay, PMP. She can be contacted via email at: kamillabk@hotmail.com

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