More about Women’s Leadership

I recently wrote an article about what men should learn from women’s natural leadership qualities and skills. I received a lot of appreciative feedback.

If you would like a copy of the article, please email me and I will send it along.

The feedback I received prompts me to continue the theme with several wonderful examples that occurred over the past few days. They are simple gestures, yet their effects are significant, even profound. 

And it is helpful to bear in mind that effective leadership should be kept simple, i.e., through an attitude of serving others, offering our guidance with humility, and being appreciative and respectful. That is what creates a winning culture: good people working together as a true team, with high energy and a positive and loyal spirit.

How simple are these examples?

Saying thank you
Norean Sharpe, PhD, Undergraduate Dean of Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, recently explained to me that women are more apt to say “Thank you” and “I’m sorry” than men.

Why is that so important?  Because 75% of the people who leave their jobs do so because they do not feel appreciated!

Asking, “What do you think?”
Taylor Price, from whom I’m sure we will hear in the future, is with the Department of Homeland Security. At an event this past Thursday evening, I asked how he was enjoying his work. Taylor enthusiastically stated that he is very fortunate because his work is interesting, challenging, and he has a great boss.  He cited a particular example from the previous day. His boss was explaining her thoughts about an issue and then asked “Taylor, what do you think?” That meant a lot to Taylor.

Simple? Yes.
Thoughtful? Yes.
Effective? Yes
Important? Yes, very!

Asking for ideas from team members is a sign of strength, and it is so important.  People want to feel they are heard and that their ideas matter.

Encouraging others
Emily White, who in her young career with Georgetown’s Career Services, at the Advisory Board, and now as Human Resources Manager at Edgeworth Economics, a boutique economic, financial and qualitative consulting firm, is a highly effective leader with her ability to make people feel important and encouraged. She always has a winning smile, is genuinely interested in others, and has no personal agenda.

Emily is a giver.

Emotional intelligence is key to servant leadership
We often hear the expression: “She is comfortable in her own skin.”  It’s having a quiet inner confidence, which helps so much in being a servant leader, one who wants to be a giver, to help others learn, grow and succeed.

Emotional intelligence is the key indicator of our success and happiness, as relationships matter greatly in business, and women score a bit higher than men in emotional intelligence competencies. We need their leadership.