Opinion

Behind every great female leader is a man… learning from a woman

Today, on 14 September, we acknowledge Agency Women’s Leadership Day, initiated by Meta which prompts us to take a closer look at what it is to not just be a good leader, but to be a female leader of an agency. Is it barely a coincidence they are female, or is it intrinsic, are women just better leaders, and should men take note, asks Rose Owens of The Creative Collective - a female founded and led digital marketing agency.

Female leaders are often said to possess leadership skills, such as empathy, humility, resilience, and compassion that rely on EQ rather than the traditional masculine model of IQ.

Women in agencies are leaning in (just enough) that they aren’t fem-splaining, and people, particularly men, are benefiting from this approach.

Historically, female leadership has been met with confusion, incomprehension, and a conversational repertoire involving the rhetoric, women are “too, emotional, maternal, complex and multi focused to lead effectively.” A damaging point of view, started on a global political stage, trickling down to boardrooms, staff rooms and households.

Recent scrutiny faced by Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, when her own “work/life balance” was made public, and the lack of female representation at the 2022 G7 Leaders’ Summit has cemented that view.

However, it seems the tide is turning, with the parliamentary election of British Prime Minister Liz Truss by her peers, she joins 27 current female world leaders.

Today, on 14 September, we acknowledge Agency Women’s Leadership Day, initiated by Meta which prompts us to take a closer look at what it is to not just be a good leader, but to be a female leader of an agency. Is it barely a coincidence they are female, or is it intrinsic, are women just better leaders, and should men take note?

Psychological studies show that women lead by example and perhaps this IS a maternal trait, focusing on the professional development of employees and lifting others up, leading from within, celebrating their team’s success, rather than taking individual credit. This element of “we” rather than “me”, challenges the very notion of the old adage “every man for himself”. It leans on collaboration and shared troubleshooting, making stress and punishable accountability minimal.

Women have long flown the flag for “let’s have it all” career AND kids, for work/life balance and intrepid travel, for hybrid and flexible work conditions, for fair pay and conditions.

This is why it’s important that workplaces recognise this and take responsibility for promoting equality from the top down, so that women don’t need to own this fight and we all can reap the benefits – no matter your gender.

Strong females in agencies are leading by example, encouraging all employees to take up the mantle of caregiver, not limited to traditional relationships, genders and families. A good leader from my point of view identifies and endorses equal opportunities, and actively dispels traditional gender bonds of “breadwinner” and “homemaker”.

These soft skills are not exclusive to women, but a command and expect attitude is favoured, due to years of active male role modeling, inadvertently affecting women, such a strong leadership tendency, that some female leaders embody the style.

Perhaps aiming for a highly coveted seat at the boys table, leading to an undiversified top level. It implores us to look at all genders leading well and how they complement one another. Both women and men can lead empathically, compassionately, and be commanding, expectant simultaneously. The passing of Queen Elizabeth II, pushes female leaders into the spotlight again, a woman who came to power at the tender age of 25. It was reported that she leaned on what she knew of the men who came before her and surrounded her during her reign. Stepping into a role primarily held by men in a system heavily influenced by centuries of patriarchal beliefs, regardless of her personal views and desires as a monarch, it would have been a mighty glass ceiling to dismantle. A situation many female leaders today experience.

First Nations people across the Commonwealth are calling out for King Charles to learn from the mistakes of his mother, and this could be the hardest leadership challenge of all, to move forward, acknowledge one’s downfalls and welcome others’ points of view. Asking for forgiveness, acting with contrition, admitting fault, and taking ownership, arguably the most regarded leadership qualities.

These leadership attributes can be cultivated and deployed by any gender, all genders can, and should endeavour to grow and improve, to be empathetic, compassionate, commanding and collaborative, no one tactic works better than another and certainly not in isolation.

The boardroom table is large and there is room for all, and if we take a look around we will see that behind every female leader is a man… learning from a woman…who’s learning from a man… who’s learning from a woman… Infinity.

Rose Owens, client services director and 2IC of The Creative Collective.

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