ATD Blog
Be Your Best Self
Tue Apr 01 2014
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I have written a great deal about the all-important topic of leadership in corporate America, specifically claiming that we are doing our companies and their people an injustice by having predominantly male senior management.
I have written a great deal about the all-important topic of leadership in corporate America, specifically claiming that we are doing our companies and their people an injustice by having predominantly male senior management.
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In general, men and women have different leadership strengths. Some prevalent strengths often found in female leaders include:
In general, men and women have different leadership strengths. Some prevalent strengths often found in female leaders include:
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engaging conversations
engaging conversations
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meaningful relationships
meaningful relationships
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readiness to ask questions
readiness to ask questions
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openness to opinions, advice, and help from others
openness to opinions, advice, and help from others
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listening to understand and learn
listening to understand and learn
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recognition of people’s strengths over weaknesses
recognition of people’s strengths over weaknesses
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inclusiveness in decision making when appropriate.
inclusiveness in decision making when appropriate.
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Meanwhile, some common male strengths include:
Meanwhile, some common male strengths include:
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confidence
confidence
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decisiveness
decisiveness
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risk taking
risk taking
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drive for results
drive for results
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boldness.
boldness.
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In order to maximize the success of our companies—including financial success—is to use all of these leadership competencies, with men learning from women and women learning from men.
In order to maximize the success of our companies—including financial success—is to use all of these leadership competencies, with men learning from women and women learning from men.
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Winning organizational cultures involve women
Winning organizational cultures involve women
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We need women and men functioning in leadership teams developing winning organizational cultures where people are aligned, loyal, share a passion for their work, help and encourage colleagues, and have great respect for their senior leaders.
We need women and men functioning in leadership teams developing winning organizational cultures where people are aligned, loyal, share a passion for their work, help and encourage colleagues, and have great respect for their senior leaders.
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This kind of organization culture is too rare. Just about every company’s culture can be improved, and the specific strengths that women bring to the table are much more powerful in improving company culture than those more typical of men.
This kind of organization culture is too rare. Just about every company’s culture can be improved, and the specific strengths that women bring to the table are much more powerful in improving company culture than those more typical of men.
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For example, a winning culture comes from internal relationships, founded on trust and feelings of being appreciated, valued, heard, and helped to succeed. These qualities come more naturally from women.
For example, a winning culture comes from internal relationships, founded on trust and feelings of being appreciated, valued, heard, and helped to succeed. These qualities come more naturally from women.
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Women do not need to act like men
Women do not need to act like men
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We’ve all heard stories about women who had to fight against the odds to succeed in high-level positions—and became “hardened” as a result.
We’ve all heard stories about women who had to fight against the odds to succeed in high-level positions—and became “hardened” as a result.
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These stories likely hold some truth because of the limited number of leadership positions available to women and the tenacity required to obtain them. However, I think times are changing. I believe that as leadership in the business world evolves, women will realize that their natural leadership strengths are what we need, not for them to act like men.
These stories likely hold some truth because of the limited number of leadership positions available to women and the tenacity required to obtain them. However, I think times are changing. I believe that as leadership in the business world evolves, women will realize that their natural leadership strengths are what we need, not for them to act like men.
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I have known many women who are very intelligent, dedicated to their companies, committed to their clients and to meeting and exceeding financial goals who, at the same time, definitely use their soft skills to help people feel appreciated and important. In fact, the single best leaders I have ever known are both women—Christine LaSala in business and Julie Foudy in sports.
I have known many women who are very intelligent, dedicated to their companies, committed to their clients and to meeting and exceeding financial goals who, at the same time, definitely use their soft skills to help people feel appreciated and important. In fact, the single best leaders I have ever known are both women—Christine LaSala in business and Julie Foudy in sports.
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Further, Norean Sharpe, Dean of the undergraduate program of Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, states that women are more apt to say thank you to their colleagues. That is huge.
Further, Norean Sharpe, Dean of the undergraduate program of Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, states that women are more apt to say thank you to their colleagues. That is huge.
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Finally, Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and a hero to business women across the country, shares her hopes and fears that her work is professional and personal at the same time, and that is natural and fine. Men can learn from Sandberg.
Finally, Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and a hero to business women across the country, shares her hopes and fears that her work is professional and personal at the same time, and that is natural and fine. Men can learn from Sandberg.
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So, my message is to women—we need you, and we need you to use your natural leadership competencies. Just be your best selves!
So, my message is to women—we need you, and we need you to use your natural leadership competencies. Just be your best selves!