Female Leadership: what are your top 10 characteristics?

Little by little, the presence of women as team and company leaders has increased.. Although it seems that there is still a lot to do, the female leadership style has been imposing itself, making a notable difference.

The peculiarities of the way of thinking and acting of women have been transferred to their way of leading groups. The characteristics of this kind of leadership they will surely define the course of many organizations in the years to come.

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Learn about the characteristics that define female leadership

For decades, leadership and ways of working were defined by men. Later, when women were fully integrated into the labor forces, they had to continue under this same paradigm, although their ideas and proposals were different.

This is because there is always widespread resistance to change. For this reason, it took women a few more years to make their presence known, not just as a force of work, but as leaders who, in addition, had their own style with interesting characteristics for the Business.

This has allowed breaking paradigms and taking organizations to another level. It allows them to adapt to the new times that seek global objectives different from those of years ago. To better understand this type of leadership, we list the 10 characteristics of female leadership.

1. Empathy

Female leadership is characterized by its empathy. Women have a special sensitivity that allows them to be or further develop this virtue. They tend to easily recognize the needs of the other and act accordingly.

This does not make them weak or lacking in character. They manage to develop empathy with a high degree of objectivity to make better decisions. As team leaders, this characteristic allows them to generate close ties to develop a better job, bringing out the best in each worker.

2. Sense of humanity

Women have a great human sense. This means that they are always focused on people and their needs. In this way they can achieve a close bond with their work group and at the same time attend to what truly important in strategic projects for the entity where they develop their present labor.

This characteristic of female leadership is ideal in places that have a direct relationship with the client or in associations and organizations with a humanitarian cause. The human-first approach is not at odds with business.

3. Assertive communication

One of the qualities of many women is their efficient communication. And this does not only mean that they "talk a lot", but that they have better communication skills, not only to convey ideas, but to make sure they were understood and also listen to the feedback later.

That is assertive communication and it is very useful when exercising leadership. This allows the objectives to be conveyed effectively, and the team also feels confident to express their opinions without fear.

4. Horizontal leadership

One way to exercise leadership by breaking with the traditional is to do it horizontally. This is perhaps one of the most disruptive characteristics of female leadership. For many years, power structures were conceived in a vertical and authoritarian way, but more and more companies are betting more on more democratic and people-centered styles.

However, women are committed to comprehensive and diverse teamwork. This means that everyone can contribute actions, ideas and proposals, and that all will be valued in the same way. Women have a knack for leading these types of teams.

5. Focus on the details

In addition to global objectives, they do not lose sight of the details. Undoubtedly a deliverable work, a presentation, an investigation that has passed through the hands of a female leader, it is also noted for the attention to detail.

This generates a high quality standard in the processes and also encourages the entire work team to pay attention to the aspects that require improvement. Today's female leadership tends to lead the team towards perfection.

6. Thought flexibility

Women tend to have less of a problem accepting new ideas. This makes it easier for them to adapt to changes. This quality of female leadership is very important, especially in today's times.

Rapid technological and ideological changes require the ability to adapt. Women are very clear about this virtue and they take it without problem to their work areas and transmit it to their teams.

7. Teamwork

Female leadership holds teamwork in high regard. As mentioned in one of the previous points, her work style is horizontal. This could not be achieved if they did not have great confidence that teamwork is better.

Her concept of teamwork goes beyond "doing everything together", her style is inclusive and participatory, this generates better work environments and more efficient results, as well as loyalty between the members of it.

8. Versatility

Female leaders have the ability to address many issues at once. This is a great quality to exercise leadership, as it allows high efficiency in the processes and especially in the results.

Being able to work on a project looking globally allows them to attend to many issues at the same time, all of them necessary to carry out the projects. This is a highly valued characteristic of female leadership.

9. Analysis for decision making

Thanks to their analytical skills, they have a fast and effective decision making. When a woman is in the leadership position, she develops a high decision-making capacity, thanks to the quality of analysis that characterizes women.

According to the statistics, the data and their observations, the women apply their critical sense and analyze the panorama. This allows them, in unexpected situations that require their quick action, to make the right decisions almost always.

10. High commitment

Women have shown a high sense of commitment. In addition to having it with the company or cause they represent, they have it with their work team. This form of female leadership certainly makes a difference from the traditional.

Having a commitment towards the people with whom you work, in turn generates a feeling of loyalty towards the rest of the members. In this way, strong teams are created that are aware of their place and that their work is important.

Bibliographic references

• Bennis, W. and Burt, N. (1986). Leaders: The Strategies for Taking Charge. New York: Harper & Row.
• Square, I. (2003). Do men and women use different leadership styles? Analysis of the influence of leadership styles on access to management positions. Journal of Social Psychology.
• Daft, R. L. (2002). The leadership experience. Cengage learning. Third edition.