What are the characteristics of a good leader? According to the Center for Creative Leadership, they include: 

• the ability to delegate and facilitate teamwork 
• effective communication and listening skills 
• self-awareness and humility 
• gratitude 
• influence through emotional intelligence 
• empathy through inclusive leadership. 

Or, as I see it, traditionally feminine qualities.

As Egyptian entrepreneur Mo Gawdat has eloquently stated,

"Sadly as we empower women today, we force them to become masculine, we force them to become competitive, we force them to become tough because the way the game is played is that way. We should empower the feminine." 

In my speeches on "Lead Like A Woman," I've discussed how this feminine mindset is an incredible asset in the modern workplace. Yet, time and time again, I've witnessed women's perspectives being overlooked or undervalued, even as they possess the very qualities that make for exceptional leadership.

As the founder and CEO of WCorp, a company dedicated to certifying organizations as safe, supportive workplaces for women, I've seen firsthand how traditional work structures are inherently good for men, but undermine women's success because they don’t take into account our biological and familial responsibilities, for example. My own career journey (and those of millions of women) has been marked by the challenges of navigating these outdated systems.

Traditional work structures treat women’s natural life phases as inconveniences or even disabilities, forcing us to choose between our careers, and our health or family responsibilities. The result is a massive loss of talent and potential.

But despite this, the statistics speak for themselves: companies with the highest representation of women on boards financially outperform others by 66%. Gender equality in the workplace represents a $12 trillion economic opportunity. 

By clinging to these outdated, masculine structures, businesses are leaving this potential untapped. It's time to break free from the constraints of these masculine work structures that not only stifle women but also sabotage business success. 

Because when we dismantle these outdated structures, we don't just help women succeed - we pave the way for businesses to thrive in ways they never could before. Visit wcorporation.org/start to learn how your organization can join this crucial movement and be at the forefront of this necessary change.

Share this post if you believe in creating workplaces where women can excel.