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How Women Can Build Leadership Presence In The Workplace

Only 10% of Fortune 500 companies are run by CEOs who are women. Despite laws that require equal pay between the sexes, women earn 82% of what their male counterparts earn, according to the Pew Research Center. Clearly, a leadership presence by women is needed to achieve gender parity in the workplace. However, how can a business encourage more women in leadership? The legal team at Schwab & Gasparini explains how to encourage a culture of women leadership in the workplace. To learn more, consider calling (315) 422-1333 in Syracuse, (518) 591-4664 in Albany, (914) 304-4353 in White Plains, or (914) 304-4353 in Hudson Valley.

What Do Women Bring to Leadership Roles?

According to the American Psychological Association, a leadership presence by women provides many benefits to the workplace, including:

• Inspiration—When women are in positions of power, they inspire other women to have similar goals. They inspire all members of the organization to advance the organization’s mission. Additionally, women in leadership can increase productivity and combat long-held gender stereotypes.
• Perceived fairness—When women see other women in leadership roles, they perceive the organization to be fairer. They believe salaries will more fairly reflect their contributions to the workplace. Many times, women leaders can bring about meaningful change in the workplace and create fairer and more balanced working environments.  
• Enhanced collaboration—Women benefit group processes. A study that followed small groups found that those with more women were able to collaborate and solve a wide range of problems. These groups were also better able to communicate and leverage the collective knowledge and skills of the group.

What Are the Four Keys to Success for Women Leaders?

According to the Center for Creative Leadership, the following are the four keys to success for women leaders:

• Agency—Agency, in this context, refers to intentional actions to achieve a goal. Women can become leaders by analyzing their career goals and taking action to advance them.

• Authenticity—Authenticity is being yourself, flaws and all. Women with authenticity are better able to embrace all aspects of their life and not try to fit a certain mold, such as that long occupied by male leaders.
• Connection—Connection is the ability to get closer to others within and outside the organization. Strong women leaders build relationships and have a strong network of supporters.
• Wholeness—Wholeness helps connect the various roles a woman has and provides a sense of fulfillment.

What Are the Main Factors That Influence Women’s Rise to Leadership Positions?

The organization’s support for women in leadership positions is the primary factor that affects women’s rise to these roles, along with the woman’s desire to be the best version of herself. Some of the ways that corporations can support women’s rise to leadership positions include focusing on the following areas.

Greater Autonomy 

When workers are micro-managed and told how to do every aspect of the job, their ability to be creative or extend themselves beyond their basic job description is limited. By cultivating a culture of respect in which women feel trusted to take on more difficult projects or roles, the corporation can help encourage leadership by women.

Early Identification of Leadership Potential 

Companies are constantly hiring. Rather than considering how a particular candidate can fit in a specific role, company leaders can consider how that candidate may be able to move into leadership roles. Employers can also provide assignments and assessments to determine if their existing workforce has leadership capabilities. 

Availability of Mentorship Programs

Organizations can motivate women leadership by providing mentoring programs for women. Women can work with other women or men to enhance their job skills and obtain career guidance and support. 

Some organizations go a step further by providing sponsorship programs. Those in leadership positions, the sponsors, use their position and influence to advocate for the advancement of a promising employee. 

Inclusivity

Organizations can build a culture that appreciates inclusive leadership. In that way, those in leadership positions better reflect the various backgrounds and values of their employees. 

Membership in Women-Led Professional Organizations

Leadership can also support women by encouraging and paying for them to participate in professional organizations that are led by other women, individually or collectively. These organizations often focus on building leadership skills and enhancing networks. They can also help women test out their abilities to perform leadership roles. 

Allies

Women may not advance if their only support comes from other members of the same gender. Therefore, organizations should encourage allyship between women and men within the company. Male allies may be able to express concerns about conflicts in the workplace that affect women, fight against gender inequality, and encourage women in leadership roles. Men are often in a better position to fight for change in this way because they do not have the same fear of being penalized as their counterparts might, and are often less likely to incur social consequences within the organization for speaking out. 

Company leaders can also discuss other ways to encourage women leadership within their organization. A business attorney from Schwab & Gasparini may be able to help review your organization’s policies and provide guidance on how you can make a meaningful difference in your business.

How Can Women Improve Their Leadership?

There are several ways that women can improve their leadership potential, including:

• Taking an internal inventory. Women who are self-aware can better grasp their values and ambitions and determine how they can improve their company. 
• Getting to know the boss. Women can also become more familiar with their boss so they can see the traits and skills the organization values in leadership. 
• Volunteering. Women do not have to wait for a great opportunity like a promotion. They can actively volunteer when there is a new project, a community-sponsored event, a committee, or other undertaking for which the company needs help. 
• Collaborating. Working together productively with others is an essential skill in the workplace. Women can look for opportunities to work with others, including those outside their immediate department, to expand their capabilities and demonstrate their expertise within the company.  
• Creating a supportive network. Women can explore coaching, mentorship, and sponsorship opportunities inside and outside their network. They can build up a group of people who will advocate for them when needed. 

Learn More About Building Women’s Leadership Presence in the Workplace

Encouraging the leadership presence of women in the workplace is important for any organization today. If you would like more information about how more women can advance to leadership positions, consider contacting the legal team at Schwab & Gasparini. You can call the Syracuse office at (315) 422-1333, the Albany office at (518) 591-4664, the White Plains office at (914) 304-4353, or the Hudson Valley office at (914) 304-4353.

Sun Feb 18 2024, 12:00am