By Nishtha Yogesh
For centuries, women have stood up against societal expectations and cultural prejudices to gain recognition and get equal opportunities in our patriarchal society. Women have made remarkable progress in corporate, political, entrepreneurial and various other fields, shattering the metaphorical “Glass Ceiling” that limited their access to leadership positions.
As per an article in Harvard Business Review, women in leadership positions in business are still uncommon. Less than four per cent of women are at CEO, president, executive vice president and COO positions. 10 per cent of senior managers in Fortune 500 companies are women, and less than three per cent of top corporate earners are among them. Also, statistics imply that many women leave the business world frustrated or disillusioned as they reach the top of the corporate ladder. The COVID-19 pandemic made things worse by widening this disparity. Women made up 24 per cent of the labour force worldwide before the pandemic, but 28 per cent of them lost their jobs, and as of November 2020, 43 per cent of them still do not have paid employment.
As we celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship journey, we must explore strategies that enable women to shatter the glass ceiling and take on leadership roles.
Embrace confidence and self-advocacy
The journey to leadership begins with self-belief. Women often underestimate their abilities or hesitate to advocate for themselves in the workplace. Building confidence is crucial for navigating the complexities of leadership. Adopting a culture of self-assurance and self-advocacy is essential to promoting equality and diversity within the organisation. To ensure that the workplace supports diversity at its core, it entails fighting for laws that ensure equitable opportunities and compensation. It involves fostering an atmosphere where various viewpoints are not only recognised but also cherished, going beyond merely framing policies. The success and innovation of the organisation, as well as workplace morale, are greatly enhanced by women leaders who embrace confidence and self-advocacy.
Adopt Continuous Learning and Skill Development
Leadership is an evolving journey that demands continuous learning. Women should actively seek opportunities for skill development, whether through formal education, workshops or online courses. Staying abreast of industry trends and acquiring new skills not only enhances competence but also positions women as valuable assets within their organisations. Embracing a growth mindset is key to navigating the dynamic landscape of leadership successfully.
Nurture future-ready women leaders
Breaking stereotypes is a critical first step for women who want to be in leadership roles. It requires an initiative to question deeply ingrained biases and social norms that limit their potential. To overcome gender-based limitations, it is necessary to challenge preconceived notions and advance a paradigm shift that values the diversity of abilities that women bring to leadership roles. It is still difficult for women leaders to strike a balance between their personal and professional commitments, which motivates them to challenge stereotypes and promote equality. Concurrently, cultivating a strong professional network is essential. Accessing expertise and staying up to date on trends can be facilitated by actively participating in industry events and pursuing mentorship relationships.
Enhancing Leadership Skills
One of the most important things woman leaders can do to succeed in their career is to improve their leadership abilities. Participation in leadership development programmes is essential. Leadership abilities are multifaceted and include strategic decision-making, competent conflict resolution and effective communication. Women leaders who actively leverage these opportunities not only enhance their own capabilities but also help to create a dynamic, inclusive and learning-oriented leadership environment. Investing strategically in improving one’s leadership abilities is what drives women to achieve long-term success in leadership positions.
An untapped opportunity
The desire for financial independence is a major factor driving the growth of women entrepreneurship in India. This emerging trend has significant ramifications for India’s economic development as well as gender equality. An uptapped opportunity of remarkable economic growth & better gender equality for our country lies in the financial independence of Indian homemakers from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. These women face significantly more obstacles when they start their re-skilling, employment or entrepreneurship journey. Even though they have the desire to be recognised and be independent, they struggle with lack of skills, lack of opportunities & lack of a support system.
Women, from all walks of our society, must strategically empower themselves in all spheres of their lives—financially, emotionally and professionally. And by embracing these initiatives, we can create a future where empowered women lead the charge by influencing and reshaping society for the better.
(The author is Nishtha Yogesh, Founder and CEO , Hunar Online Courses, and the views expressed in this article are her own)
