Female leaders (and all leaders) have to work very hard to gain respect from their peers and get into management positions in the workforce. As I navigate my way through my career I have done some reflecting on what makes good female leaders, having worked for many and slowly becoming one myself. This list highlights a few ways to be a better female leader and it can speak to women at all levels of their careers. Whether you’re managing a team of 50 or you’re a student working on a group project (I don’t miss those days), we all have the opportunity to be better female leaders.
Spotlight talent
First let me start with spotlighting talent. This is a term that I first heard a couple of years ago by a woman named Amanda, at a women in politics panel, in Toronto. It’s something I think is very important that female leaders do so thank you Amanda! What Amanda explained was, that when you hear a woman in the workplace share something that’s a good idea or important, impactful or creative to be there and be that woman’s “seconder.” To say “that was a really great point” and piggy back off of it so that they get the “spotlight” on them at that boardroom table, or in that meeting, or wherever it may be, because putting that light on them gets more women heard.
Now in the concept of being a woman leader spotlighting is even more important. You need to highlight women, and activate their passion accordingly.To be a better female leader you need to lift up other women. It’s as simple as that. Give them the opportunity to shine, give them the “spotlight.” Just to be clear do not confuse this with the “hot seat” that will not end well for anyone!
Admit when you’re wrong
Look, this is hard. But it is necessary if you want to be a better leader. As we navigate our ways through our careers the importance of this becomes more and more apparent. From my experience a little humility goes a long way when it comes to leadership. Being able to admit when you are wrong is a true test of integrity and the people you lead will respect you for it. Nobody wants to listen to someone who has themselves in their blindspot. Cliche I know, we are all human, everyone is going to mess up, or be wrong. When a leader admits when they are wrong, they show the rest of the team that being wrong isn’t the worst thing you can be and that is important. Because, being wrong sometimes, is inevitable.
Be a mentor not a lecturer
This is the basic principle of “teach, don’t tell.” Persuading people is much better than making demands of people. Remember that people respond to incentives (Econ 101 everybody). Nobody wants someone harping on them to get things done, it’s simple. In fact this is counterintuitive and many people will respond negatively and have resentment towards leaders who do this.The way to get your team to get things done is to find a way to be able to market what you’re selling. Leaders are always going to need somebody to do something, so they need to package the task in a way that’s appealing. It’s like the whole “you scratch my back I scratch yours” thing. People will work hard if the right conditions are there, be a resource and a guide available to them.
Personally as a member of every team I have been on it is much easier to collaborate and have open lines of communication based on strengths and weaknesses than it is to be arbitrarily delegated a piece of a puzzle to complete. A part of being a mentor here is to know your team and their strengths and weaknesses and be able to call on them. Even looking at P&S Co. I know some of the women on the team prefer different subject matter than others so I work with them to ensure they are able to write about what they like, not what I see fit.
Practice what you preach
Nobody can criticize someone for asking a lot of them if they ask the same or more of themselves. People tend to be less inclined to produce quality work, be creative or work hard if the person they report to does not work harder than they do. You need to work hard. I have had the opportunity to work for a number of amazing female leaders and while they are all very different, one thing is consistent, a very strong work ethic. As a leader you set the tone, if you are lazy and cutting corners so will your team. Don’t expect more from anyone else than you do from yourself, plain and simple.
You don’t have to be masculine
Look, I know everyone is really obsessed with Frozen right now but nobody, I mean NOBODY, wants to work for an ice queen. You do not have to be more “masculine” to be a female leader. For those of you who need to hear this, you are already so strong, girl! Be mindful and fair, but most importantly be yourself.
Female leaders are different from men and that’s a good thing. SO don’t try to be something you’re not to fit the stereotypical form of a leader. If someone on your team deserves praise, give it to them, don’t be afraid that it makes you look like a “girl.” Overcome that imposter syndrome, you deserve to be where you are so OWN IT.
All of this is to say, there are a heck of a lot of female leaders out there and they are all doing amazing. If you’re one of them pat yourself on the back because you deserve it! These are just a few of my ideas of how to be a better female leader. I hope you find something useful to put in your play book. If you’re feeling a little inspired I also have a list of books that will help you level up your career linked here.
