That’s what they say…but business is being done a new way. Massive technological connectivity and access to tidal waves of information is causing a shift in society, workers attitudes and how business is done.
Rapid changes in technology are causing disruption in the way corporations do
business. Communication is now digital. Products are now digital. Marketing and
delivery of product and services must be done in a different way.
Added to that, the evolution of global business environments has significantly
increased competition and stress on the traditional corporation.
One other important shift is that now the “knowledge worker” (skilled and
experienced) is now becoming the most valuable asset of the corporation versus
capital equipment and they are leaving corporations by the thousands.
So what is a corporation to do? Find and retain the best people.
I believe a new, better corporate structure is evolving and it will take women of
ability paired with men of ability to make it the best and most profitable business.
However, few women make it to the top management positions.
This is where many women’s development programs have failed. They simply
addressed the soft skills of mindset and confidence for women.
The truth is that successful business is led by people of experience with specific
business skills AND the right mindset.
This is why we must develop women managers further through learning
experiences, coaching and training that insure the results a corporation needs to
obtain highly skilled women leaders.
Here are some reasons why we need more women as leaders in business:
Women, on average, are terrific communicators and tend to be better at it than men. It’s the information age and it’s highly competitive. This means companies will need more skilled communicators involved in all aspects of business where good, clear communication is critical to generate revenue, control expense, manage top talent and build a loyal customer base.
Global business will require expanding business networks. Women are natural networkers.
Diverse viewpoints can result in better, more creative solutions to business issues. Both women and men are needed to address business issues effectively.
Keeping a talented knowledge worker will require relationship strategies. Women instinctively care about building relationships which is why they tend to gravitate toward jobs where building relationships is a major component such as Marketing or HR.
Increased competition will require the resources of creative thinkers to develop new products and services that meet the needs and desires of the marketplace. The talent pool of creative leaders is doubled when more women leaders are available.
Rapid change in technologies requires more flexibility. Women have extensive multi-tasking abilities as evidenced by women who manage business and families at the same time.
Half of the workers available today are women. Women in leadership roles can act as mentors to develop other potential women leaders just as executive men have done for years.
