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Ever Wonder Why Women Make Such Great Leaders? Here Are Three Reasons Why

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Photo Credit: Jerome Shaw

While the opinions below are my own, I was compensated by Johnson & Johnson for this post.

Let’s face it, even though the percentage of women in leadership and ownership roles has increased considerably over the years, there are still large gender gaps from entry-level all the way up to the C-suite. It’s time to change the narrative.

2018 marks my ninth year of blogging (and bragging) about the magic that lady bosses create here on In Her Shoes. It’s no secret that I’m a huge advocate for gender equality, so in honor of International Women’s Day, I’ve pulled together three reasons why having women in leadership roles can benefit your entire business:

1. Looking for a strong mentor? Women are the nurturers of the world:
 Let’s kick this off with the facts. Women are natural born nurturers, so it’s only right that we also make terrific mentors. Studies have shown women have a more difficult time finding mentors than men, 30% of those surveyed by Pew Research felt women made better mentors than men — while only 5% felt men were better mentors than women. Throughout my career, I’ve been blessed to have awesome mentors who were willing to take a bet on me and provide meaningful opportunities for growth. These mentors have not only taught me about what’s important (both personally and professionally), they have also given me some of my biggest breaks. There is nothing, I repeat, nothing like a great mentor — someone who can guide you, pour into you, and provide honest, real-time advice. I know that I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today if it weren’t for the impact and guidance of the women and mentors in my life.

2. It’s all about relationships: We often joke about women being “chatty,” but what may look like simple, small talk is most likely a woman building and nurturing strategic connections that strengthen the business. According to Gallup’s survey of more than 11,000 people, women are far more effective at engaging and developing people. We’re also more likely to build collaborative environments than our male executive counterparts. If you want a successful business, you have to understand that relationships are key. Another important relationship that is critical in helping women press for progress is mentorship. This is where I see Johnson & Johnson leading by example—being committed not only within their own walls, but also via their extensive partnerships that support the next generation of future leaders. Watch this video (Igniting the Power of Women to Shape the Future of Healthcare video) on how they’re igniting the power of women and girls through mentorship.

3. Money management matters: Women have been managing homes for ages. We know how to spend and save money even when finances are tight. We know how to efficiently work with smudgets (small budgets), how to allocate them, and how to maintain a balance. Looking for someone to create magic when resources are limited? Look no further. According to a BMO poll, men are more likely to get into debt. Thirty-three percent of the male respondents had over $100,000 in debt as opposed to only 22% of the women. Although a willingness to take on debt can open new opportunities, not realizing the risks of taking on too much too fast is a recipe for disaster when managing money.

Johnson & Johnson, my brand partner for this post, has been championing women and providing the tools, resources and opportunities to succeed and #PressForProgress since its founding more than 130 years ago. The brand, which truly walks the walk, is committed to propelling the best female talent with women holding 43% of senior management roles in the company and championing the next generation of leaders.

What are your thoughts on the importance of women in leadership? Share them below and let a woman in leadership know that you appreciate them today!

 

As a New York City storyteller, filmmaker, digital content creator, and PR strategist, Renae Bluitt created "In Her Shoes" to empower and enlighten women committed to realizing their dreams.

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