How Seasoned Women Leaders Can Empower Emerging Women Leaders: 10 Lessons from Sports

‘Every leader is a coach’: Would you agree?

In the fast-paced world of business, women leaders face unique challenges. Learning from these challenges is crucial. Just as important is distilling and reinforcing their insights to empower other female executives in their team.?

From putting in place the right support networks to enabling every female executive with rewards and recognition, there are many ways in which women leaders can set up their emerging contemporaries for success.?

A recent conversation with Deepthi Bopaiah, CEO of the GoSports Foundation, on the Rewrite The Rules podcast threw up many leadership insights drawing from sports principles. The attitudes and behaviour sets of athletes and particular dynamics with their coaches can enlighten women leaders on how to support and spur on the success of female executives.

Here are ten actionable lessons drawn from the world of sports to help women in leadership positions execute their role as enablers.

10 Ways Women Leaders Can Smoothen the Track for Emerging Counterparts?

1. Building a Resilient Mindset

Resilience is crucial in both sports and business. Athletes face setbacks regularly but learn to bounce back quickly.

"We win and lose on a daily basis. You try again, figure it out again."?

In sports, athletes deal with failures like losing matches or injuries. Their ability to recover and push forward sets them apart.?

Similarly, female executives encounter setbacks such as failed projects or resistance to ideas. The key is to view these setbacks as opportunities for growth, not obstacles.

To foster resilience, create an environment that encourages risk-taking and innovation.?

Reflect on This:

• Handling Setbacks: Reflect on a recent challenge and the steps you took to overcome it. Share this experience with your team to demonstrate that setbacks are a natural part of growth and learning. Encourage them to analyse their setbacks and identify key learnings and strategies.
• Celebrating Attempts: Celebrate efforts as well as successes. Create a culture that values learning over mere outcomes. Recognise and reward the courage to try new things, even if they don’t always work out.?
• Fostering Resilience: Develop programs focused on mental toughness and adaptability. Consider implementing resilience training workshops, mindfulness practices, and stress management techniques. Encourage your team to build a personal toolkit for navigating challenges.

2. Promoting Failure as a Catalyst for Growth

In sports, failure is an inevitable part of the journey to success. Athletes encounter defeats and setbacks but use these experiences to come back stronger.?

As a woman leader, viewing failure as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint is essential. When failure is accepted and analysed, it becomes a tool for continuous improvement and creativity. Each setback offers a chance to learn, adapt and grow.

Embracing and promoting this attitude of resilience not only strengthens your leadership but also enables other female executives to persevere with their individual journeys.

"Growth is uncomfortable. Go through those phases," Deepthi advises.

Embracing this mindset and encouraging your team to see these moments as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to retreat is also crucial for fostering innovation.

Reflect on This:

• Promoting Learning: How can you cultivate an environment where failure is seen as a learning opportunity? Implement debrief sessions after projects to discuss what worked and what didn’t.?
• Empowering Bold Decisions: Are you supporting your team in taking bold, calculated risks? Create a space where trying new approaches is encouraged and mistakes are viewed as a path to innovation. Share stories of successful leaders who overcame failures to achieve great success.
• Developing Resilience Strategies: Develop and share resilience-building techniques like mindfulness practices and mentorship programs. Encourage your team to build a personal toolkit for navigating challenges.

3. Cultivating a Culture of Inclusion

Creating an inclusive culture is critical to empowering women executives. Just as sports teams thrive on diversity, so do successful organisations.

As a woman leader, you hold the power to shape this culture. Your leadership can transform your organisation into a place where every voice is heard and valued. Ensure your workplace policies actively promote equality and inclusivity. Diverse teams bring unique perspectives, sparking creativity and enhancing problem-solving.?

An inclusive culture not only builds dynamic, innovative teams but also fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration.

Reflect on This:

• Promoting Equality: Are your workplace policies truly promoting equality and inclusivity? Regularly review and update them to remove any barriers that might hinder diversity.
• Addressing Biases: How do you actively address unconscious biases in your team? Implement ongoing training programs and encourage open discussions to challenge and overcome biases.
• Supporting Development: Are you providing targeted professional development opportunities for all female employees? Create mentorship programs and offer resources that cater to the specific needs of underrepresented groups.
• Encouraging Dialogue: How do you foster open and honest dialogue within your team? Establish regular forums or feedback sessions where employees feel safe to share their experiences and ideas.

4. Establishing Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs

Mentorship is a game-changer in both sports and business. Experienced leaders guiding newcomers can create a significant impact.

"The role model concept works everywhere.”?

As a woman leader, you have the opportunity to establish robust mentorship and sponsorship programs within your organisation. Through these programs, senior female leaders can guide and support emerging executives, helping them navigate their career paths and overcome challenges.?

Create a structured mentorship program that pairs seasoned leaders with promising talent. These relationships build confidence, enhance skills and provide invaluable networking opportunities.

Reflect on This:

• Identifying Mentors: How do you identify potential mentors within your organisation? Look for leaders who are not only experienced but also passionate about developing others.
• Encouraging Sponsorship: Foster a culture where leaders take an active role in promoting high-potential employees. Have senior leaders actively advocate for their protégés, opening doors to new opportunities and career advancements.
• Regular Feedback: How do you ensure effective communication between mentors and mentees? Encourage regular check-ins, goal setting and skill development to track progress and address any challenges.

5. Elevating Executives with Development Workshops

Just as athletes rely on rigorous training to excel, female executives need targeted leadership development to thrive.?

Leadership development workshops are pivotal in enhancing skills and boosting confidence. This investment in training yields long-term benefits.?

As a woman leader, you have the ability to champion and implement these development programs within your organisation. Workshops focusing on leadership skills, resilience and strategic thinking can prepare female executives for higher roles and greater responsibilities. These sessions not only build confidence but also foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Encourage participation in leadership workshops that cover a wide range of topics, from emotional intelligence and conflict resolution to innovative thinking and effective communication.?

Reflect on This:

• Identifying Needs: Conduct surveys or hold focus groups to determine the specific leadership training needs of your female executives. Regularly assess their skills and growth areas to tailor the content of workshops.
• Customising Workshops: Are your leadership workshops tailored to address the unique challenges faced by women leaders? These could cover areas such as gender bias, work-life balance, and assertiveness. Include real-life scenarios and case studies relevant to their experiences.
• Encouraging Participation: How can you promote the benefits of these workshops? Consider internal communications and success stories. Provide incentives such as certification upon completion, or offer professional development credits to encourage participation.

6. Championing Work-Life Balance for Peak Performance

Just as athletes must balance intense training with rest to perform at their best, female executives require a healthy work-life balance to excel.

"Discuss the importance of flexible work arrangements," Deepthi emphasises.?

As a woman leader, you can play a crucial role in promoting work-life balance within your organisation. A balanced approach not only enhances productivity but also boosts morale and reduces burnout.

Implementing policies that support flexible working hours and remote work options can make a significant difference. Also, encourage your team to set boundaries between work and personal life.?

Reflect on This:

• Encouraging Breaks: Actively promote the importance of taking regular breaks and using vacation time. Implement policies that prevent burnout, such as mandatory time off or scheduled wellness days.
• Role Modelling Balance: Are you setting an example of work-life balance? Share your strategies with your team and encourage open discussions about balancing work and personal life.
• Supporting Personal Needs: Provide resources to help employees manage their personal responsibilities. Offer access to employee assistance programs, wellness initiatives and family support services. Regularly check in with your team to understand their needs and adjust support accordingly.

7. Recognising and Rewarding Achievements

In sports, recognition fuels athletes' drive to excel. Acknowledgment of achievements is a powerful motivator, both in sports and in business.

As a woman leader, you can create a culture of recognition within your organisation. Public acknowledgment and tangible rewards for achievements not only motivate individuals but also set a standard of excellence. Also, regularly celebrating milestones and successes fosters a positive and high-performing work environment.

Encourage a system where achievements, both big and small, are highlighted. This could be through awards, shout-outs in meetings or company-wide announcements.?

Reflect on This:

• Recognition Programs: Do you have structured recognition programs in place? This could include monthly awards, peer-nominated recognitions and annual ceremonies to highlight top women performers. Ensure these programs are well-publicised and accessible to all female executives.
• Public Acknowledgment: How often do you acknowledge achievements? Include shout-outs during team meetings, features in company newsletters and posts on internal platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams.
• Personalised Rewards: Are you aware of how your team members prefer to be recognised? Tools like surveys or direct conversations can help tailor rewards, whether it’s public praise, a handwritten note or a small gift.

8. Driving Concepts of Continuous Learning

In the world of sports, continuous learning is crucial. Athletes constantly seek to refine their techniques, learn new strategies and stay ahead of the competition. This relentless pursuit of improvement is what sets champions apart.

This principle is equally vital for female executives striving for excellence.

As a woman leader, you can foster a culture of continuous learning within your organisation and support initiatives that allow female executives to explore new areas of expertise and expand their horizons. Encourage sharing of new knowledge and skills within the team, especially among the team's women.?

Reflect on This:

• Providing Resources: Are you offering access to relevant courses, workshops and other programs? Create a learning portal or partnership with educational institutions to provide these opportunities, similar to how sports teams invest in specialised coaching and training facilities.
• Promoting Industry Engagement: How do you encourage female executives to stay updated with industry trends? Promote participation in industry conferences, webinars and professional networks.
• Supporting Career Development: Are you supporting the career development goals of your female executives? Have regular discussions to identify growth areas and provide necessary support.

9. Leading by Example

Leaders in sports set the tone for their teams. Coaches often lead by example, demonstrating techniques and strategies.? The same applies to business. Just as athletes look to their coaches for guidance and inspiration, your team looks to you.

As a woman leader, your actions speak louder than words. Exhibit the qualities you wish to see in your female executives. Face challenges head-on, celebrate diversity, and continually seek improvement. When you model these behaviours, you inspire your team to do the same.

Reflect on This:

• Handling Rejection Publicly: How do you react to setbacks in a public setting? Demonstrate resilience and positive problem-solving in team meetings to set an example for your executives.
• Practising Continuous Improvement: How often do you seek feedback on your leadership style? Regularly ask for input from your team and make visible adjustments to show your dedication to growth.
• Sharing Personal Stories: Do you share your personal challenges and how you overcame them? Create a platform, like a monthly meeting or an internal blog, where you share personal stories of overcoming challenges.

10. Modeling Grit and Perseverance

In sports, athletes often have to push through physical and mental barriers to achieve greatness. They train rigorously, usually facing countless obstacles, but their unwavering determination drives them to success.

"It's much more than playing and enjoying the sport, but just proving that I got this opportunity and let me make the most of it.”?

Similarly, female executives must overcome professional challenges with tenacity and a positive mindset. As a woman leader, you have the power to instil these values in your female executives.?

Providing support and resources can help them navigate challenges and emerge stronger.?

Reflect on This:

• Setting Challenging Goals: Are you encouraging your team to set ambitious goals? Implement a goal-setting workshop where female executives can outline their objectives and develop action plans to achieve them.
• Providing Support: How do you support your team when they face setbacks? Introduce regular check-in sessions or resilience training programs to provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Recognising Perseverance: Do you acknowledge and reward perseverance in your team? Establish an award or recognition program that specifically highlights examples of tenacity and resilience.

Deepthi’s story is a well-rounded playbook for leaders to empower female executives on their teams. It illustrates that just like a coach guides athletes, leaders can cultivate a winning environment where women can thrive.

The message is clear: resilience, inclusivity, continuous learning and a supportive culture are the keys to unlocking the full potential of female executives. By fostering these elements, leaders can create a team where every woman feels empowered to take risks, overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

Are you ready to implement the strategies outlined in this article? By becoming a coach for your female executives, you'll not only empower them but also elevate your entire organisation.?

Remember, when women leaders win, everyone wins.

At Rewrite The Rules, we are all about enabling and supporting female executives at different levels to realise their dreams against all odds. Every edition of our newsletter is geared to bolster your journey with proven contemporary strategies.

For more insights from Deepthi’s journey, watch the full episode linked here. If you want to hear and share inspiring stories of women across Asia, reach out to me by email or on LinkedIn.