Challenge the paradigms that establish a single style of leadership.
The concept of femininity in business leadership addresses how characteristics traditionally associated with femininity, such as empathy, collaboration, and communication, can influence leadership style in the business environment. The renowned social psychologist, Prof. Geert Hosftede, explored this socio-cultural dimension (femininity) regarding to the impact generated within organizations when analyzing the interaction of people across different cultural environments. Historically, leadership styles in business, and especially in the corporate world, have been dominated by characteristics considered more “masculine”, such as authority, competence, and quick decision-making.
However, in recent decades, and more specifically in the last decade, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of “feminine” qualities in effective leadership. Multiple research projects have shown that feminine-based leadership can result in more cohesive teams, higher levels of engagement and a more inclusive organizational culture.
Key aspects of female leadership in the business environment include empathy, effective communication, collaborative work, and inclusive decision-making.
Female leadership tend to show a greater ability to understand the needs and concerns of their employees and their teams, which allows them to communicate more effectively and build strong relationships in the workplace.
Rather than adopting an authoritarian approach, female leadership tend to encourage collaboration and teamwork, which helps build a sense of community and commitment among employees.
With respect to inclusive decision-making, they tend to make decisions in a more consciously inclusive manner, consulting with multiple stakeholders and considering a variety of perspectives before reaching a conclusion. This can lead to more informed decisions that are accepted by all team members.
When it comes to conflict management, female leadership often have superior skills in managing conflict constructively, seeking solutions that meet the needs of all parties involved and promoting a harmonious work environment, although this is still a major challenge to achieve in the Latin American business context.
Therefore, the importance of incorporating qualities traditionally associated with the feminine in leadership practices is recognized. Doing so promotes a more inclusive and effective leadership style, which can benefit both employees and the organization.
