Put a Woman in Charge
I hadn’t heard this song before, but I was streaming music on the 1st to find inspiration to engage in my New Year’s resolution – to exercise – and it caught my attention. Two phrases in particular gained my interest: “The time has come, we’ve got to turn this world around,” – and the song’s title, “Put A Woman In Charge.”
It just seemed so timely – the beginning of a new year, the yearning for a more beautiful future, and the desire for hope and inspiration. Quite frankly, I’m not a fan of where male leadership has taken us in the world, which is why the song hit me deeply. My hope for a better world is not invested in the status quo. It seems to me that the chest-thumping, power-grabbing, indulgent, competitive, self-interested, macho leadership traits that seem to have dominated the world for so long are not creating a more just world. I don’t want more of the same in 2022 – I want something different.
Put A Woman In Charge inspired a sense of hope within me – and inspired me to do some research to see if, with women in charge, the world would be a better place. I’ll share the answer with you right now, in three words – without a doubt. But please keep reading, the data supporting this answer are compelling.
Countries that are female-led have experienced a much lower mortality rate during the pandemic than have male-led countries. In her article “Women Leaders Are Doing Better in the Pandemic,” Stefanie K. Johnson writes that “several countries led by men have bungled the public health effort, while female-led countries like New Zealand, Germany, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Taiwan have fared better.”
I think that’s enough evidence right there, but there is more. Much more!
Research recently published in the Harvard Business Journal found that in a comprehensive study of leadership competencies, “Women were rated more positively on 13 of the 19 competencies that comprise overall leadership effectiveness” (Research: Women Are Better Leaders During A Crisis by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman, December 2020).
And there is more…
Assessing leadership traits, a 2005 Caliper study, The Qualities That Distinguish Women Leaders, found that “Women leaders are more assertive and persuasive, have a stronger need to get things done and are more willing to take risks than male leaders.”
The report also finds that:
“The difference in leadership styles between men and women starts with listening. Not just listening to form your answer, but really listening, learning, reflecting, then implementing a plan that incorporates the best of everyone’s ideas.” And that in contrast, male leaders “have a tendency to start from their own point of view… and because they are not as flexible or willing to interact with others, the male leaders may tend to force their perspective and convince through the strength of their position.”
So, we have a solution, and yet in the U.S., women account for only 23% of American CEOs. Our current, man-made, power structure has created barriers that exclude women leaders, even though it is abundantly obvious that the world needs more of them! Check out this list of barriers:
“Women of color described being passed over for promotions and new projects in favor of white women, white men, and men of color—even those with less experience. Many said they were not seen as leaders nor mentored to move up.” (Deeper Dive, Women of Color, Leadership and the Nonprofit Sector, Ofranama Biu, Senior Research Associate, Building Movement Project.
Women are evaluated more negatively compared to men even when performing the same leadership behaviors
Performance evaluations are often biased in favor of the dominant white male leadership culture
Women are often judged as being not leader-like for being “too feminine” or “too ethnic”
Perspectives held by women and racial/ethnic minorities are often viewed as negative or deficient by the white male leadership culture.
Source: Forum on Public Policy, Women and Leadership: Transforming Visions and Current Contexts, Jean Lau Chin, Adelphi University
Despite the strong evidence that women are more effective leaders than men, and exhibit leadership qualities that are increasingly needed in our world, we are still woefully behind where we need to be if we are to rise to the multiple crises facing the world right now.
I’m challenged to know how to wrap this blog up. I feel very uplifted and hopeful by the wisdom of the words in the song – and by the research that points to the same solution for the challenges of the world. Humans have extraordinary capacity and potential – but it is not being realized in the world as it is currently structured. It is time to re-think power structures, embrace a new way of doing things, and move forward.
Perhaps some advice to men would be a fitting conclusion: When a woman is in charge listen, learn, and emulate. Our way of doing things is failing, and we know that there is a better way. Review the research, sing the song, and participate in the creation of a better world.
Inspired by: Keb’ Mo’ Put a Woman In Charge