Despite all the changes in recent years, the majority of top managers are still men. In that respect, the Netherlands is even lagging behind countries such as Norway. When you look at the required qualities that are often attributed to top managers, this fact is strange. Research by WPP showed that most of the 125 leadership qualities described are characterized as feminine. Think of empathy, patience, reasonableness and many other characteristics that men do not always excel in. To inspire you, we have described a number of leadership lessons from inspiring women in this blog.
Leadership lessons and the future is determined by what you decide today
Characteristic of a male culture is that it often looks at short-term gain. Consider, for example, the financial sector and the causes of the credit crisis. Various specialists have repeatedly expressed the expectation that if the financial sector were governed by female leaders, the crisis would never have occurred. There may be something to be said for that, especially when we look at top manager Hella Tomasdottir. She was CEO of the only bank in Iceland that did not get into trouble during the crisis, because it has a policy focused on the future. Decisions you make today determine the course of your future. A choice to go for big (financial) hits in the short term can therefore cause major problems in the long term.
You do it together, everyone counts
Being a top manager does not just mean being able to (dare to) make decisions. Men are often praised as leaders for charting a course and especially daring and making tough decisions. Obviously important, but there is more.
Sheryl Sandberg, who has been responsible for operations at Facebook for years as COO, is known as a leader who does not so much look at herself, but at the entire team. High and low. When Sandberg started as COO, according to stories, she spent her first period mainly getting to know hundreds of people within the company. Not in her own office, but simply on the work floor. She asked numerous questions to get a good idea of ​​the company.
In many organizations, top managers are not very involved with the team. They often work through an MT and have little to do with the daily events in the office. A missed opportunity. You have to do it together, and the solutions to problems often lie in the hands of the operational staff on your team.
It's not just about charisma
Charismatic leaders appeal to us. Jobs, Mandela, Branson, they come back in the list as standard. And rightly so, of course, for several reasons. Charisma is of great importance for a leader, it sets people in motion. But we should not think that charisma and appearance determine the entire success of a leader.
The best and most striking example is without a doubt Angela Merkel, the woman in charge of our Eastern neighbors for almost 20 years. An unprecedented achievement for a leader who does not characterize himself as charismatic. Her speeches do not pop off the stage, which can also be said of her appearance. She is also not overflowing with enthusiasm with which she can immediately motivate people. And yet Merkel has been at the top of various lists of 'most influential people' for years. The fact that she has worked her way up in the German male stronghold is a huge achievement.
What makes Merkel so strong as a leader is that she dares to make choices from the heart and follows through with them. Even if that doesn't make her popular within public opinion. For example, she did not exactly make herself popular in Germany by adhering to her opinion that the EU, and therefore also Germany itself, could easily receive more refugees from Syria.
The fastest way is not always the best
Another power woman who, like Merkel, has been at the top for years. Oprah Winfrey. A self-made woman who has repeatedly stated that she is convinced that she did not achieve her position purely on talent, but mainly through endless patience and perseverance. The shortest path to success is obvious, but is not always the best path.
Oprah often uses the famous saying: 'do the one thing you think you cannot do'. In other words, do what you think you can't do. Step out of your comfort zone and don't always choose the fastest and, apparently, easiest path. Young generations in particular feel a strong pressure to perform and feel the need to quickly advance their career and achieve success. But just like with a good wine, quality and success also comes with age.
Honesty is the best policy
There can hardly be a greater contrast than in America. On the one hand, former President Obama and his wife, who preached in their years as administrators that honesty is of great importance. And on the other hand, current President Trump, who takes the truth with a grain of salt almost every day to influence public opinion. Two completely different worlds. A president who comes from a purely male stronghold (Trump) versus a president who dares to be vulnerable and radiates more of the feminine side of leadership. And that was/is certainly thanks to his inspiring wife, Michelle Obama.
Michelle Obama represents an important message. In her eyes, success only counts if you have earned it 'fair and square'. This is of course diametrically opposed to the culture that often exists in the business world, in which cunning and politically smart behavior is respected and rewarded. Michelle Obama's quote speaks volumes: 'We learned about honesty and integrity. That the truth matters. That you don't take shortcuts or play by your own set of rules and success doesn't count unless you earn it fair and square.'
Do you want to develop your potential qualities and gain insight into the talents and challenges required as a leader? Then we offer you the challenge to work on practice-developed training together with other participants Inspiring Leadership for enterprising directors and senior managers.