It is a stubborn fact of the business world; the higher up you go on the corporate ladder, the fewer women you’ll find in positions of power and influence. While women are over-mentored, they are often under-sponsored when it comes to business. And those fewer women in leadership roles struggle way more than men do. Therefore, women should devise some leadership strategies to empower women as a whole. But why do you need a strategy? Because developing a strategy is challenging as it requires a lot of time, commitment, and resources. However, leadership strategies for women are critical in shaping them to polish the best executive ability in them.
10 Leadership Strategies for Women That Can Empower Women Executives
Women, in their leadership roles, are usually perceived as rude or bossy. They have to be more strategic while addressing any issue regarding their organization. Following are some leadership strategies for women to allow them to have better executive leadership roles in the business world.
1. Communicate Frequently and Politely
Good communication is always the best key to building a trustworthy relationship. As female bosses are more natural in verbal communication, they can use it to their advantage by making their team feel comfortable to be transparent with them. This will help them in avoiding the bigger issues. The team will be even more cooperative with such female executives. Leverage your communication skills to help get the best out of your subordinates.
2. Have Professional Individuality
Be predictable, but also keep a strong sense of individuality and uniqueness. Own your ideas and accomplishments without being an arrogant show-off. Avoid following the strategies of every other leader out there. Your efficiency and uniqueness in handling the major or minor issues regarding business will make you the kind of leader everyone would want to listen to, regardless of gender. This will uplift you in your influence and power. And help you reach the top of your potential.
3. Be Non-Threatening in Your Attitude
Avoid provoking the fragile ego of men as they will find you rude as a boss. Avoid giving provocative orders as they can surge resentment and hatred towards you, making it difficult for you to have the trust and cooperation of your team. Instead, ask your subordinates about what is comfortable for them. Suggesting ideas and appreciating the efforts can help you get to the best potential in your leadership. This is best explained in Sarah Cooper’s book: “How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men’s Feelings.”
4. Avoid Transactional Leadership
Even the vague air of doubt in your leadership can make you look negotiable. You don’t want others to think that you are replaceable. Because if you are giving orders and holding your subordinates accountable for any mistake that occurs, you are showing arrogance. While you sit in your office, giving orders and not engaging with your staff until any severe issue rises to the surface, then you are being questioned as a leader.
5. Develop Strategic Thinking
Make timely decisions for important business matters. Be strategic in your thoughts and ideas, keeping yourself informed and updated on the latest happenings. Develop the work schedules in cooperation with your team if a deadline for an important project is coming up. Work according to the priorities and also show some leniency towards the staff members who are having some issues.
6. Don’t Hesitate to Take Control of Things
No one will take responsibility for the tasks you are supposed to supervise. If there is an issue, because you let your subordinates do things their way, then you are mistaken. Good executive ability in women entrepreneurs is that they understand that they have to take charge of the matters concerning the growth of their business. And this keeps them away from unnecessary complications.
7. Avoid Looking for Affirmation from Others
Confidence is the key. In fact, being calm and cool-headed creates a confident air around you that will make others respect your power and influence. A female leader is more questionable in this world, where gender inequality still prevails. Stop looking for affirmation from other people in your community. If you are knowledgeable enough to run a business, then you don’t need to look for assurance at all.
8. Don’t Criticize or Condemn
Negative criticism will never get you anywhere. It can arouse hatred and self-defense in the person you condemn. The more you agitate, the more you will present yourself as an incompetent and rude leader in the eyes of your colleagues or your subordinates. The path to developing a positive working environment is to suggest the positive changes that people in your team can implement to provide better services to the company.
9. Appreciate Your Subordinates for Small Things
When you are ought to avoid criticism, you should adopt the habit of appreciating as well. Appreciating the small improvements in your subordinates can make them crave more for the better. Suggest some official gathering once in a while to let them have time to relax. Doing this will help your subordinates reach their best potential by appreciating their progress as well.
10. Engage Your Staff into Positive Discussion
Because women have a natural ability to lead, they can use it to their advantage. Emotional intelligence (EQ) is far greater in women than men, therefore, they can communicate far better than men do. Women entrepreneurs can encourage some positive and productive discussions during the project meetings. When you welcome the ideas of your subordinates and appreciate them, there will be more chances of you being successful.
In this fast-progressing business world, women should empower themselves by implementing these leadership strategies for women entrepreneurs and executives. Only by being nice and confident in their communication, can women lead an organization fairly without being called rude or bossy. And will detest gender inequality more strongly when they hold influential positions. I am sure there will be a day when the business world will recognize women’s leadership abilities as much as men.
Also Read: Thinking about the best job! What comes to your mind first? A lucrative paycheck for sure! But talking about the best careers for women is not the only criterion.
