WHY WOMEN MAKE GREAT LEADERS
Women in the past weren't prevalent in leadership roles, but today many women are breaking every glass ceiling imaginable. Despite varied resistances from family and the wider society in general, they now reflect sheer determination across all walks of life. There are countless examples of women absolutely acing various leadership roles at their workplaces. So what gives them this edge and makes them adept as leaders in their professions?
Women listen and understand: For obvious reasons, this is an excellent quality in a leader which women particularly possess and actively practice. It's for their listening and understanding that they know what to say in which condition and how to get things done. Sabah Sarwar Pushpa, Assistant Engineer at Bangladesh University of Professionals says, "I think women make great leaders because we are in-built to balance professional and personal leadership skills. The empathy, listening skills and emotional intelligence that a woman leader portrays make it easier for an employee under her to approach her with a request, a grievance, or a sensitive question. It also helps that they are naturally nurturing, which in the best scenarios can translate to helping others succeed."
They're strong communicators: Communication skill, a prerequisite for success in most fields, is said to be a woman's strong suit. As leaders, they know how to exercise it well. Be it for communicating with employers, co-workers, or partners, an open communication stream allows for transparency in executing roles and responsibilities.
Women defy the odds: Along with being able to handle crisis situations with patience, women know how to make things work in their favour. They have had the odds stacked against them that they had to overcome to get to the top. The fighters who survive, thus automatically become the better of the lot.
Women are assertive team players: Because of having developed a stealth against the myriad of issues of discrepancies they have to face in the professional realm, women tend to be strong about what they believe in and assert their grounds. While they consistently demonstrate passion, women know now how to make bold and wise decisions as leaders, while relying on others to be a part of their team.
They are the motivated motivators: A woman is generally enthusiastic and motivated by nature, thus they are also inclined to discovering what motivates people into action. As such, they hand out words of encouragement and constructive feedback.
Women are deft multi-taskers: Women make the house, go to the office, look after the children, make time for themselves, and still somehow have it all figured out at the end of the day. They do not sacrifice their personal growth in the process, and maybe thus still proves to be a great leader in times of need. This agility and flexibility gives them proper direction and focus on whatever task they partake in.
Eshanee is a student at IBA, University of Dhaka. Send her good vibes at eshanee333@gmail.com.