Greater gender equality has been demanded in recent decades, and the need to close the gender pay gap has grown. Even though significant progress has been made in this area, there are still far too few women in leadership positions.
One can observe that 15% of the CEOs on the Fortune 500 list in America are females. Companies with higher percentages of women on their boards perform far better than those who don’t.
Studies have shown that organizations with greater gender diversity—not merely among their employees but also directly among senior leaders—are much more profitable than those without providing additional support for this. This proves unequivocally that there is an urgent need for more female leaders.
Organizations must develop better opportunities and policies for women. However, women also require assistance to move forward and break free from the habits holding them back.
In light of the preceding, let’s explore the world of women in the workplace, explaining the necessity of their presence and thinking as well as 10 key reasons why businesses can no longer dismiss the possibility of hiring more women for leadership positions.
What are the main difficulties faced by female leaders?
As we’ve seen, the working world is evolving, and business is no more just a man’s domain. However, competing in such a problematic setting is not an easy task.
Women in leadership continue to confront several obstacles, whether experienced women leaders who have been making progress in this discussion for years or up-and-coming new talent seeking to have a significant effect.
Still, men make up the majority
The fact that men predominately make up the majority of the room is the first and most visible obstacle. However, this offers ladies a chance to stand out and make a memorable impression right away.
Difficulty in developing networks of support
Building a supportive network in a field where men predominate is a scenario that keeps coming up. Use this opportunity to look for mentors and connections, both male and female, who can assist you in advancing your career.
Finding a balance between work and family isn’t easy
In the working world, women frequently have to juggle raising families along with the stress of a full-time job. The pandemic has taught us the value of striking a healthy work-life balance, even though it can sometimes seem impossible to juggle work and home life.
Female expectations are frequently lower
The sad fact is that expectations can frequently be lowered for many women. The idea is to adjust your perspective and realize that it’s simpler to achieve your goals and demonstrate why you shouldn’t be ignored rather than negatively seeing this.
Women are viewed as emotional
Unfortunately, despite having more varied physical, mental, and emotional experiences than males, women are sometimes stereotyped as being more emotional and less determined than men. Take advantage of this by offering a different viewpoint.
Women should hold more leadership positions in the workplace for these 10 reasons
Women may not always see their full potential in today’s environment, but once they do, they have a clear path to success. Their capacity and skills are undeniable when acting in a leadership capacity. But since anyone may say this, it proves the necessity of outlining the numerous advantages women can offer to leadership positions.
- The future will be painted by women leaders
Given the stigmas associated with such a prominent position, it might be intimidating for women who have not yet had a leadership position. The younger generation can be discouraged from trying to remove obstacles.
The percentage of women in top executive positions worldwide increased to 35% in 2020, and in 2022 increased by 45%, the highest percentage ever noted. Although this is encouraging news, women who are just starting their careers will need to be motivated by other women who are already succeeding in leadership positions in the workplace. Once attained, it can guide all young, aspirant women leaders to raise the proportion worldwide and set new milestones.
- Distinctive transformational concepts will be highlighted
Male and female leaders were compared in a meta-analysis, and it was found that female leaders were more transformational. Compared to the two-dimensional acts (active and passive management) displayed by male leadership, they showed more contingent reward behavior.
It has been demonstrated that this transformational leadership approach helps members develop their sense of social and personal identity and commitment to the organization’s mission and goals. This shows a definite positive impact on an organization’s and its employees’ success.
- The strengthening of teamwork
We have all witnessed women exhibit passion, energy, and the capacity to assume control of a situation when necessary (in this case, let’s not look past our own mothers or female caregivers).
Women can lead with confidence and sound judgment. This makes the team environment less hierarchical and collaborative, creating a family-like atmosphere. This improves collaboration within the company and aids in adopting a new culture.
- Women show superior leadership qualities
In seven of the eight essential leadership qualities evaluated throughout the Pew Research Center Social and Demographic Trends study, 2,250 adult women were rated better than or equal to males.
The main findings of this study show that, according to 50% of respondents, women are more trustworthy than males, while only 20% thought the opposite. Only 14% of respondents thought men are more innovative than women, while 38% said they believe women are. In other situations, women were rated more sympathetic, extroverted, and creative.
- Enhanced communications within the company
According to reports, communication is a woman’s most potent ability. Female leaders will use this influence to improve meaningful interactions with employers, co-workers, and partners, resulting in an open channel of communication that fosters clarity.
- Achieve more extraordinary financial results
More original ideas may be put forth in a workplace with greater diversity. This promotes the development and increases sustainability within a company. Diversity in the workplace should include both genders equally rather than only giving preference to women.
Gender diversity at work fosters innovation, promotes performance and employee satisfaction, and, as has been proven, fosters more excellent teamwork across the organization. According to a workplace survey, organizations with gender-diverse workforces are 45% more likely to have above-average profitability.
- New viewpoints and fresh outlooks
We’ve talked about the need to build a diverse staff because it will result in fresh insights and experiences that will help the company foster some much-needed creativity.Women executives will bring expertise, unique viewpoints, and creative ideas to the table, but when these three factors are combined, they will help generate novel insights that improve overall company decision-making.
- Women leaders can offer superior mentoring
The importance of role models, particularly for the younger generation, cannot be understated. Everyone needs someone to mentor them to advance in their careers, regardless of gender. Women can employ their skills in this area since, specifically, female leaders are better mentors than male leaders when developing and guiding new talent.
A study found that 29% of women think being a woman will prevent them from advancing. Women in leadership positions can seize this chance to start empowering the talented young minds of the following generation to go past this challenge.
- The capacity for multitasking
Women frequently perform multiple roles within one another in daily life. Along with many other situations, you can often find them juggling families, occupations, and parental supervision. These females aid leaders in making quick adjustments to novel circumstances and concentrating on finding answers to practical workplace problems.
- The gender pay gap can be reduced by women in leadership positions
The fact that the gender pay gap can become a gender opportunity gap is frequently neglected. When men and women begin their careers from scratch, it has been observed that men are typically given more opportunities that lead to higher-paying employment.
However, more women in leadership positions can assist achieve a broader objective and reduce the wage gap more successfully, in addition to the advantages we’ve already highlighted.
Ignite your influence, women in leadership
According to research, the percentage of women in senior management positions worldwide is gradually rising, with 90% of all global organizations expected to have at least one woman in a senior management position by 2025. According to the Global Gender Gap Report from the World Economic Forum, it will still be 170 years before women attain economic parity globally.
