How BOLD Women make great Leaders in times of chaos!

By Yvonne E.L. Silver - March 17th, 2020

It is in times of turbulence that true leadership shows, not during the easy times... International Women’s Day 2020 recently passed, putting the spotlight on the accomplishments of women. There are important correlations between women and leadership which are worth showcasing...

With the global sickness wave of COVID-19 spreading rapidly and a pandemic level announced recently by the World Health Organization, the world as we know it has shifted. It will continue to shift, with much being uncertain as many cities initiate shutdowns of events, centres and all places where people gather, to limit contact and disease spread. With many of the household decisions surrounding childcare, eldercare, food and safety in the realm of women and mothers already – this is our time to shine. 

Women make great leaders!

When women lead we bring many competencies to the role, competencies which are our natural abilities, both at home and in the workplace.  It is in times of turbulence that true leadership shows, not during the easy times. Confident communications is key for Leaders, caring and consistency are key, as well as inspiring and motivating others while being champions of change. These are all areas where women manage situations differently than male leaders.

For years it has been common knowledge how women are great at multi-tasking (picture a baby on one hip, a telephone cradled in her neck, stirring the supper pot – all while talking to a friend). Anyone with more than one young child understands how women have to multi-task in order to be an effective parent. One look at the study led by Zenger Folkman:  “Why Women Are More Effective Leaders Than Men”  published in the Business Insider, demonstrates 16 Leadership Competencies and how women can be a beacon of hope in times of turbulence. In my coaching work over the past 10 years exclusively with women, I have also observed that the skills highlighted below are often natural competencies that women bring to the workplace.  

Leveraging the learnings in the Zenger Folkman study, how can you look for ways to strengthen your female leadership effectiveness during uncertain times? With many business results being impacted as customers defer decisions or temporarily close their businesses (impacting sales numbers), how can you lead your team to support your customers while enhancing overall company profits?  There are 10 competencies showcased in the chart in the article, with five in particularly where strong women leaders can shine.  (Ref: https://www.businessinsider.com/study-women-are-better-leaders-2014-1)

Taking initiative will reduce leader bottlenecks, enhance client confidence and shows caring and an opportunity to reduce frustration of an outstanding issue with a timely resolution. As the situation is unfolding, monitor what common questions are surfacing (from staff or clients) and develop and post Q&A topics, to keep your lines of communications open for the highly inflammatory questions to be thought through and addressed.

Displaying high integrity and honesty is key, and magnified during turbulent times. Staff need reassuring that there is a plan in place, that their needs are being considered, and honesty is critical. If there is no detailed business continuity plan in place yet, what is in place? Start there and gather your team to help develop the detailed plan immediately. When people are being asked questions blood rushes to the pre-frontal cortex of the brain to help solve the question. The brain moves to answer the question, reducing anger or frustration, and puts the focus on the task in hand. 

Collaboration and teamwork matters in times of uncertainty. When people are involved in a decision, it helps each person feel they have some degree of control over the outcome. Often a better solution can be built that will actually work when front-line staff are involved, as they know what is possible with the current work processes, what will need modification and where bottlenecks are surfacing. During my time as a VP of a global Talent Management organization (supporting large firms making business restructuring and career transition decisions) I observed over and over again the impact of not involving people in departmental planning conversations. When people feel something has been done to them (such as their job being eliminated) more stress and anger is often created, resulting in unpredictable and often unprofessional behaviour.

Builds relationships.  Women solve problems often through collaborative discussions, through building bonds with other women in particular, to work together to reach a common goal. Women build alliances, leverage relationships in order to help us leverage our time, and juggle all the tasks and responsibilities we so often carry, of leading at work as well as leading our household.  We make decisions based on consensus when the opinions of others need to be taken into account, for a long term relationship to flourish. Yet, we are equally comfortable making quick independent decisions for the safety of our staff and family.

Inspires and motivates others is a skill to leverage right now. Be a role model for others by demonstrating the key Leadership Competencies in the green boxes above. By knowing your Emotional Intelligence competencies as well, you can draw upon the skills you naturally have including your interpersonal skills, your clear decision making and problem-solving skills, how you calmly manage stress and show your optimism in the face of chaos.  Emotional intelligence is an individual’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage his or her emotions and those of others.  The Emotional Intelligence Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) is the measure of that ability.

According to Greg Okhifun, Associate Editor of Corporate Wellness Magazine - EQ is the New IQ.  Emotional intelligence takes root in Darwin’s work, which states that emotional expression is prerequisite for one’s survival.  Emotional intelligence involves a mix of several competencies that help an individual become aware and have control of his or her emotions and behavior. This explains why the most successful people in the workplace are those with high emotional intelligence awareness.

As a Certified EQ-i Consultant supporting clients by debriefing the Emotional Quotient Inventory Assessment, I know that having a high level of Self-Regard and Emotional Self-Awareness and strong Self-Expression (Emotional Expression, Assertiveness and Independence) mixed with a healthy dose of Empathy and Social Responsibility, all matter significantly in turbulent times.  Leaders who are aware of their EQ levels and manage those according to the situation, for long-term success, are more effective.

Greg Okhifun, Associate Editor of Corporate Wellness Magazine, also explores The Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace.  In the same article (Ref.: https://bit.ly/2Wjn95s) he states that “a Fortune 500 company had prioritized personality assessment tests for selecting candidates for many years, despite the high-turnover in the sales department.  After incorporating emotional intelligence-based criteria to the recruitment process and emotional intelligence training for staff, it recorded an increase in annual profit by about $32 million, with 67 percent retention of staff in the first year.  This is because of the high employee engagement found in high EQ work environments. Low EQ environments, on the other hand, breed employee burnout and reduced productivity."

When women lead there is also research from several sources

to demonstrate the financial benefits. 

The Peterson Institute for International Economics – 2014 reported that “Profitable firms (average net margin of 6.4%) showed moving from having no women in corporate leadership CEO, Board, C-suite positions) to having 30% female share is associated with a 1% point increase in net margin = 15% increase in profitability (a typical firm). While these survey results were recorded during regular business times (if there is such a thing – since there is always something going on around the world impacting pockets of the globe or varied business sectors), it showcases how the financial impact of having women in corporate leadership makes an impact on profitability.

Inspires and motivates others is a skill to leverage right now. Be a role model for others by demonstrating the key Leadership Competencies in the green boxes above. By knowing your Emotional Intelligence competencies as well, you can draw upon the skills you naturally have including your interpersonal skills, your clear decision making and problem-solving skills, how you calmly manage stress and show your optimism in the face of chaos.  Emotional intelligence is an individual’s ability to recognize, understand, and manage his or her emotions and those of others.  The Emotional Intelligence Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) is the measure of that ability.

According to Greg Okhifun, Associate Editor of Corporate Wellness Magazine - EQ is the New IQ.  Emotional intelligence takes root in Darwin’s work, which states that emotional expression is prerequisite for one’s survival.  Emotional intelligence involves a mix of several competencies that help an individual become aware and have control of his or her emotions and behavior. This explains why the most successful people in the workplace are those with high emotional intelligence awareness.

As a Certified EQ-i Consultant supporting clients by debriefing the Emotional Quotient Inventory Assessment, I know that having a high level of Self-Regard and Emotional Self-Awareness and strong Self-Expression (Emotional Expression, Assertiveness and Independence) mixed with a healthy dose of Empathy and Social Responsibility, all matter significantly in turbulent times.  Leaders who are aware of their EQ levels and manage those according to the situation, for long-term success, are more effective.

Greg Okhifun also explores The Role of Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace.  In the same article (Ref.: https://bit.ly/2Wjn95s) he states that “a Fortune 500 company had prioritized personality assessment tests for selecting candidates for many years, despite the high-turnover in the sales department.  After incorporating emotional intelligence-based criteria to the recruitment process and emotional intelligence training for staff, it recorded an increase in annual profit by about $32 million, with 67 percent retention of staff in the first year.  This is because of the high employee engagement found in high EQ work environments. Low EQ environments, on the other hand, breed employee burnout and reduced productivity."

Women have been changing the world for hundreds of years.  

Goddess of the Hunt (Artemis), Artemisia was the 5th century BCE Queen of Halicarnassus, Joan of Arc, Queen Boudicca, and Minerva - the Roman goddess of wisdom have all shaped the world.  (Minerva was also the goddess of trade, the arts, and strategy in war.) Throughout history, women have changed the world with their strength, resilience, passion and their determination to create a better future for their children.  While the fight for equality continues, it’s important to remember the accomplishments of well-known female Leaders and discover new ones who are shaping the world today. 

In the article "10 Women Who Changed the World In Unforgettable Ways” by author Sadod Alexander, the accomplishments of women who impacted significant change are showcased: 

*  Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of Liberia and the first female elected head of state in Africa, made huge strides for her nation. Her pro-women and anti-corruption political stance earned her a Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.

*    Queen Nzinga Mbande ruled the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms (in current-day Angola) with both strength and kindness. Throughout her reign, her kingdoms came into conflict with Portuguese colonizers and other kingdoms, but remained as a sanctuary for runaway slaves and African soldiers trained by the Portuguese.

*        Maria Mutola was a three-time world champion and one-time Olympic champion in the 800 metres running event. Off the track, she founded the Lurdes Mutola Foundation, which encourages children to pursue sports and education.

* Rosa Parks will forever be remembered for refusing to give up her seat on a racially-segregated bus, leading to the Montgomery Bus Boycott.  After the boycott successfully helped end segregation in public spaces, Rosa Parks sought to educate the nation’s youth about civil rights. Her multiple awards include the NAACP’s highest honour and the Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

*        Malala Yousafzai - The youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner of all time, Malala Yousafzai, has become an icon in the battle for girls’ rights. At the age of 15, the Taliban attempted to assassinate her for demanding an education for herself and other girls. 

In Canada where I live, there are numerous examples of women who have changed history, including:

• Viola Desmond: Challenged segregation practices in Nova Scotia. Long before the modern civil rights movement in the United States, a black woman from Halifax took a stand for racial equality in a rural Nova Scotia movie theatre.
• Nellie McClung Novelist, reformer, journalist, and suffragist. Nellie McClung was a leader in the fight to enfranchise North American women, with a small group of dedicated women, later known as the Famous Five.  Her efforts led to Manitoba becoming the first province to grant women the right to vote in 1916, followed by Alberta and Saskatchewan.
• Justice Bertha Wilson: First woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada. Born into a working-class family in Scotland, Bertha Wilson trained in law in Canada.
• Mary Two–Axe Earley: Challenged law discriminating against Indigenous women.  Mary plunged into activism at age fifty-five, despite considerable opposition from her own community. She improved the lives of thousands of Indigenous women and their children, and benefited about sixteen thousand women and forty-six thousand first generation descendants...
• Roberta Bondar: Canada's first female astronaut and the first neurologist in space.  With over a decade as head of an international space medicine research team collaborating with NASA, she became a consultant and speaker in the business, scientific, and medical communities, and was awarded the Companion of the Order of Canada, and The Order of Ontario.

Ref: https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/women/canada-s-great-women

Examples from a compilation prepared by: former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson; bestselling author Charlotte Gray; historians Michèle Dagenais (Université de Montreal), Tina Loo (University of British Columbia), and Joan Sangster (Trent University); and author and English professor Aritha van Herk (University of Calgary).

HOW CAN YOU DEMONSTRATE YOUR LEADERSHIP

HEART AND STRENGTH?

This current crisis is an opportunity for women leaders to shine. I recommend a focus on these concepts:

• Focus on what you actually have control over, and let the rest go...
• Bring your heart to work – for the greater purpose, not only for corporate profits right now
• Know your Emotional Intelligence traits, skills, abilities and the boundaries of your knowledge
• If you do not know, say so, and then find the answer – seek out experts with that knowledge and share their insights or connect them to those seeking answers
• Collaborate and CARE – listen, yet still own the responsibility of making the final decision
• Use a Coach approach – ASK your staff for ideas and support them in finding the best solution
• Develop a flexible strategy, track your results & showcase which of your competencies are used
• Strategically network: leverage your business connections and be wise in your requests for help
• Be REAL - willing to share stories that show your decision rationale and your leadership style
• ASK for what you want and need – be directive, clear on your non-negotiables
• Be a supportive role model for other professional women especially right now.

As mentioned in my bestselling book "Words, Women & Wisdom: The Modern Art of Confident Conversations", it is imperative that female leaders show strength in communications especially in times of crisis.

Employees respect a leader who is reliable, stays calm in a crisis, gives clear direction and gathers input from their team before making decisions, not surprising them with unexpected changes without clear rationale.

Reflect upon the last time you were in a building when the fire alarm went off.  The fire marshal (or designated emergency leader) did not say, “please, if everyone could possibly start heading to the fire escapes, when you have a moment . . .”  While very polite and warm, the instructions needed in this situation required a clear directive: “The Fire Alarm requires everyone exit the building using the stairwell immediately. Pick up your coat and purse now, and clear the floor, to ensure everyone’s safety. Follow me and leave the building now.”  Use distinctive, clear language, and you will see a shift in how others respond.  Additional words and phrases to avoid using include: forgot, almost, lazy, however, but, deserve, and try.  Stop using filler words (not required, unnecessary, and padding a sentence): such as, hmmm/um/er, anyway, okay, you know, perfect, awesome, that may be — but in my experience, basically, what’s-her-name, thing-a-majig,” or using excessive swear words — regardless of your organization’s culture.

Phrases and words to incorporate in your conversations that convey your role in leading the team to take action include: mobilized, implemented, catalyzed, created, innovated, launched, mandated, instigated, established, triggered, negotiated, won, initiated, cultivated, organized, ignited, advocated, led, optimized, mentored, coached, refreshed, revitalized, invested, or initiated. (All powerful descriptors to also use in your reports or on your resume.)

For women working with teams of women, avoid these words: spear-headed, drove, driven, pushed, strived, contrived, fought, drop-dead (find other language to describe a deadline such as a critical date or key delivery timeline). These are the hard-driving power words that women often use when trying to act like men at work, instead of leveraging our own capabilities and collaborative advantages and cultivating our authentic female leadership style.

In turbulent times there are numerous role models of women who venture to the edges of the unknown showing bravery, including acknowledging Canada's first female astronaut and the first neurologist in space - Roberta Bondar.

Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 1945, Roberta enjoyed annual science fairs and athletics. Her father built a lab in the basement where she frequently conducted experiments. These early passions evolved later to earning a Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy in neuroscience and Doctor of Medicine, as well as becoming a certified sky diver, underwater diver and private pilot.

With over a decade as head of an international space medicine research team collaborating with NASA, she became a consultant and speaker in the business, scientific, and medical communities. Bondar has received many honours including Companion of the Order of Canada, the Order of Ontario, the NASA Space Medal, over 28 honorary degrees, induction into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame, the International Women's Forum Hall of Fame and has her own star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

It is in times of turbulence and challenge that true leadership shows,

not during the easy times...  

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For more information about this article, connect with the author:

Confidence Catalyst - Yvonne E.L. Silver - Founder of Women & Wisdom Media (and Flourish!) and Woman of Inspiration Award Recipient 2018 (Mentorship). As an advocate supporting women to flourish in business - Leader, Executive Coach, senior Chartered Professional HR Consultant and Mentorship expert – she knows that when BOLD women leaders flourish, everyone wins, and the impact that understanding your EQ-i (your Emotional Intelligence levels) makes.

Yvonne is a Speaker, Executive Coach, Chartered Professional HR Consultant and Mentorship expert, and author of the 2018 bestseller "Words, Women & Wisdom: The Modern Art of Confident Conversations". She teaches women entrepreneurs and leaders to Flourish in business – by mastering their confidence and refining their authentic voice, so they can have more sales and grow their team – for a sustainable business that is fun. With over 25 years of experience in eight high-growth start-ups, holding senior roles of Founder, corporate VP and HR Director – she is strengthening women leaders and inspiring female professionals through her speaking, 1:1 coaching and mentorship, group programs, bestselling book and Online Business Book Club. (https://bit.ly/3az13zB)

Yvonne draws on knowledge and wisdom gathered as a Certified Executive Coach, Chartered Professional in Human Resources (through the HR Institute of Alberta), an Emotional Intelligence Consultant and Certified Reiki Practitioner - supporting women achieve massive growth and success in their life.  She is a Mother and Wife, a member of the Evolutionary Business Council, and the recipient of the Women of Inspiration Mentorship Award in 2018 (received for her work designing and chairing custom mentoring programs).

Her “Words Women And Wisdom Show” on BBS Radio airs bi-weekly, showcasing inspiring women and their journey from chaos to confidence.  She has spoken at numerous events, conferences and radio show/podcast interviews including: One Woman Fearless Summit, BPW National Conference, YYC Chic (Making Changes Gala) CIWA, HRIA and been interviewed on the "WINGS of Inspired Business", "The Top 1%", From "Fear to Fire" podcasts. Additional information and a complimentary 3-Chapter Excerpt of her Words, Women & Wisdom book is available at: www.WordsWomenAndWisdom.com

Yvonne can be reached for comments or further information, via www.WordsWomenAndWisdom.com/contact or 403.999.4749