"My persuasion can build a nation,
Endless power, with our love, we can devour,
You'll do anything for me.
Who run the world? Girls..."
I never saw myself using a Beyoncé song for an article, but these lyrics ring true to the tone of the day. Who run the world? And who better at it? Girls.
Honestly, the global problems of the day stem from old people (mostly men) who care more about retaining their positions of power than growth for the betterment of an organisation, town or the world.
This sentiment is shared not just by me, but many.
Barack Obama said in 2019, "if every nation was run by women, you would see a significant improvement on just about everything, living standards and outcomes".
Harvard Business Review also has been gathering data since 2016 and found after studying 3,876 men and 4,779 women, that women scored better in 17 out of 19 leadership capabilities. Where men outscored was in, "develops a strategic perspective" and "technical or professional expertise".
But where women outscored men was in; takes initiative, resiliences, practices self-development, drives for results, integrity and honesty, develops others, inspires and motivates others, bold leadership, builds relationships, champions change, setting stretch goals, collaboration, communication, connects with the outside world, innovation, problem solving.
And yet only 50 of the top 500 companies globally are led by women. Clearly too many old men are gripping onto their comfy, Herman Miller designed CEO chairs for dear life.
Why do I care? As a white, heterosexual, late-30s male, I have 3 daughters and they need to lean into life with confidence, knowing that girls make great leaders.
I don't care how much we read about gender-equality the ugly truth is, the world is still stacked against women, there is a hyper-masculinity that is destorting men and women, social norms and leadership and it needs to change.
So what can we do?
Change the definition. The definition of leadership that works better is collaborative, servant-hearted and one that brings together a shared idea of improving business and society. We need to reject the stereotypes.
Leaders/business owners should aim to crush it and deliver massive profits for themselves or their shareholders. However, this present model of hyper-masculine leadership has created societal expectations and business functions that are shaped by fear. To be vulnerable is deemed weak. And this fear closes people up, they repress their emotions and are less willing to collaborate.
Some gender-specific throughts.
Men who join with their female counterparts in collaborating to deliver on business, personal or societal outcomes (putting aside ego) can be powerful force.
Women meanwhile need to see their thinking and ask themselves are they considering their frame of reference from a hyper-masculine point-of-view? Where everything is oversexualised and every male is operating from that place. Or are they operating from the model of collaboration? If the assumption is every "neanderthall-browed male" is operating with over-stimulated, hyper-masculine head(s), women are going to have a hard time collaborating. So assume the best and consider, maybe both of you are working for the shared outcomes collaboratively, as allies for the cause.
For both genders, watch out for micro-agressions. These are emotional or behavioural attacks that may appear minor, but for women they have a dramatic impact in feeling psychological safe. Should a micro-aggression happen, statistically, women are 4x more likely to 'self-shield', code-switch and hide personal aspects about themselves.
The bottom-line is think with a self-awareness, empathy and a willingness to co-create greatness. Are your processes, personal attitude, management-style and leadership operating from a place where everyone is showing up as allies?
Help Girls Lead. Did you know that from as young as Year-3, girls are often disheartened in their path to leadership. Subconciously, often boys are given more leadership opportunities than girls. What is "leadership qualities" in boys is often seen as "bossy" in girls.
Based on research across West Australian schools, the confidence in girls to lead (be leaders) as they transition from primary to high-school drops by 25%.
So, what can we do?
Encourage girls to lead more. Take goals and break them down into short, medium and long term sets. Celebrate their efforts.
Let them step outside their comfort zone and lead in a variety of settings. Then encourage them to reflect on the milestones they achieved. Provide feedback. Be actively involved in their lives.
Whether it is a season of community sport, or as simple as going into the local supermarket on their own. Giving girls opportunities to collaborate, be vocal, mess up and try try again will only grow their confidence and further grow their confidence and strength as leaders.
Don't be afraid to act alone. I recall a time when Jacinta Ardern acted on her values (stepping out on her own) on a range of humanitarian issues through her tenure as the New Zealand Prime Minister.
Ardern led with a belief and a risk-taking nature that she could only do if her values strongly aligned to her actions. Much of her decision-making left New Zealand in a better place post-COVID.
Using Ardern as an example. If there is a path you want to take that may be risky, it may open you up to hurt or it may fly against the research or what others are saying....but your instincts and values strongly urge you to pursue it, then go ahead and take the risk. Trust yourself and move forward with conviction.
Then the more you speak up, make mess-up, and persist (try try again), the more you'll develop a kind of "muscle memory" for trusting and following your instincts.
The truth is women have a better "bull-sh&$ radar" than men. So why not get better at harnessing it?!
Ultimately, the more you trust your instincts—while also employing thoughtful and strategic planning—the better you'll become at making the right decisions and taking calculated risks.
So lean in more...
What did Beyoncé say? My persuasion can build a nation. She is right.
Let's encourage this. We need to show up as allies, collaborate and lead in a manner that celebrates these amazing leadership skills. I have no doubt that businesses would operate better and even societies would positively thrive in a way that they haven't before.
Who run the world? Girls...
Who better at it? Girls....
TK
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