Four secrets of women at the top
While companies and government undoubtably can do more to promote women in leadership positions, women need to learn how to tap into their unique strengths and use existing platforms to become more successful in the business world. Discover four secrets of successful women at the helm of business.
1. Develop your competence
Kate Moodley, Business Woman of the Year in 2011 and Discovery’s franchise director, says men often welcome women in senior company positions. “This does not mean that women in executive or managerial positions don’t initially encounter some resistance, with people perhaps having to get used to a woman getting on board. However, as time goes on, your competence will work in your favour.”
She recommends that women remain true to themselves and their own way of doing business. “I don’t compromise on some things. For instance, in a male-dominated industry there is often a lot of socialisation after hours. I take a very different view: I say it’s about service, about resolving client problems and upskilling yourself, not partying until 5am. On a business level, it may be construed as being set in your ways, but the results will be in your favour. Be competent, be uncompromising.”
2. Use coaching, mentoring and training opportunities
To develop themselves, women should be encouraged to seek out development opportunities and have the confidence to identify the right mentors. Coaching programmes and sponsorship initiatives can be valuable support mechanisms for women in leadership positions.
Operating without sponsorship or mentorship in complex organisations tends to be a common barrier to progress. Such support can nurture inate leadership qualities and give that signature presence the opportunity to make a unique impact on the organisation. Without it, women risk just being absorbed into the dominant culture.
3. Take your time, pick your battles
Moodley remembers the challenges she faced when she started out in her career.
“I was quite young when I got into management and many people I worked with were 10 to 20 years older than me. The reality is you have to win people over, find courage and confidence.”
As women often inhabit a different reality and bring other views and perspectives is part of the diversity that they bring to the boardroom table. “This duality in their lives can be an advantage that makes women more suitable for certain leadership roles," says Lyndy van den Barselaar, managing director for Manpower Group South Africa.
4. Know the value of networking
The time you invest in developing your network is one of the best things you can do. One of the common mistakes that women make when they step into senior roles, especially in male-dominated organisations, is that they underestimate the importance of neworking. “One of the big consequences of being poorly networked often manifests itself in poor communication skills - not knowing when to inform, not knowing who really needs to know, not appreciating when silence and confidentiality are critical.”
Not supporting other able women is also a common mistake women in leadership make. Moodley agrees and says she promotes talent development within her own company, emphasising the advantages of building a strong network of women within an organisation. She advises female leaders to take other women along on the journey to the top as this benefits leaders, employees as well as the company in the long run.
While you can’t argue that companies need to do more about participating in gender diversity and promoting talent development, women should realise that they already have many of the tools and abilities they need for success. Focusing on strengths instead of weaknesses and tapping into personal core values to develop a signature presence are pivotal to success in the business world.
What successful women in business share is a winning combination of ability, good networks, sponsorship and courage.
