Written by: Alistair Batsell-Young, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Women in leadership is rising. Female executives and leaders all over the world bring to the table a new kind of leadership style. Women who choose a life of leadership are well equipped for the task. We have certain natural characteristics, along with hard work and education. It’s a stellar combination.
Here are the reasons why.
1. Employees are looking for more than just money. They want development and benefits.
Many applicants and employees want more meaning in their work life. It’s not just about the job. Companies need to offer training that helps to build their career path. Mentorship is also seen as a benefit. If some employee engagement tools are not available, employees may soon begin to look elsewhere. Women have most often first been the primary COO’s (Chief Operating Officers) of households managing their families, children and others. These skills are automatically brought into their leadership role.
2. Work relationships are still important despite remote and hybrid workspaces.
Building teamwork starts with the employee and their manager. Having a boss, you can’t get along with is a sure way to have a short-term employee. A manager that you might feel “sees” you is important. Being interested in a team member’s family, hobbies, problems, etc. makes a difference. The ability to have empathy, a sense of nurturing, listening, and building trust can often come more naturally for women. Employees find business friendships at work valuable. They stay longer, are more happy and more productive. We are in a time of reboot to transform our work teams and employee management. Our business culture including upper management may need to transform as well.
3. Transformational Leadership that shares goals and expectations with others.
Understanding a diverse team with different ages, genders and social experiences can be beautiful and daunting at the same time. It’s much like a teen’s school event, sporting event, neighborhood gathering or project organizer role working with different people groups. Women bring a feminine authority of resourcefulness, competent and intelligence, drawing from experiences in their own lives. We have an innate ability to dig deep or get nosey for the right reasons. This is not all women, but at times some of these traits come in handy.
But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention a major challenge. I feel most women leaders and entrepreneurs can be prone to high levels of stress, burnout and lack of self-care. We wear so many titles as mother, sister, wife, partner, house manager, caregiver, teacher, etc. the list goes on. Yes, we can get physical help with some of these titles. But in our mindset, the job title is still there. As our leadership role increases, it’s more difficult to combat the level of stress. Here are just a couple of high-profile women leaders exiting their jobs:
Najla Bouden Romdhane, Tunisia's 1st female prime minister of an Arab-majority state is rumored to resign.
Jacinda Ardern, Former New Zealand's prime minister has resigned
Nicola Sturgeon, 1st Minister of Scotland resigned
Nancy Pelosi’s, former US House Speaker resigned
All of these highly praised and prestigious women showed competence and grace in their work. Proving their value and worth in some of the highest offices in the world. They brought a new leadership design with courage, intelligence and empathy.
Each had their own explanation of why they were resigning, but I believe stress with burnout, a leadership style met with backlash, and unpleasant situations played a part in their decision. Still, each will have a place in women’s history.
On the site developmentaid.org it shows an alarming statistics about women leaders in the USA. They are quitting their jobs at an unprecedented rate. It’s the largest America has ever seen. They desire better working environments with less stress and free of gender-specific obstacles. Women in the Workplace 2022 is a report published by LeanIn.org and McKinsey & Company.
Leadership can leave you depleted with no room for work-life balance. We all need balance—emotionally and physically. Women should make self-care a priority. The glass ceiling may be breaking. But we must make sure some of that glass isn’t embedded in us, leaving wounds with scars. Managing DEI correctly is key. We have to do better, and it will take all of us together.
Emanuela Hall, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Alistair “Ali” is a mindset fitness coach for transformation and leadership. Thru her life, and over twenty-five-year business experience she has created simple every day strategies to elevate positive mindset for focus, clarity and healing. She leans into her caregiving experiences, health struggles, and real-life DEI challenges to help others thrive, not just survive. Her yoga training, education and spirituality improve the process. Ali’s mission is to help others discover their PIPP – Purpose, with Intention, Passion and Perseverance. Alistair Batsell-Young is Founder and CEO of Whole Soul Life LLC, a holistic health and wellness lifestyle organization. Alistair “Ali” is a mindset fitness coach for transformation and leadership. Thru her life, and over twenty-five-year business experience she has created simple every day strategies to elevate positive mindset for focus, clarity and healing. She leans into her caregiving experiences, health struggles, and real-life DEI challenges to help others thrive, not just survive. Her yoga training, education and spirituality improve the process. Ali’s mission is to help others discover their PIPP – Purpose, with Intention, Passion and Perseverance. Alistair Batsell-Young is Founder and CEO of Whole Soul Life LLC, a holistic health and wellness lifestyle organization.
