Celebrating the Month of LOVE, February 2014 inspired me to write about the “HEART”. Managing organizations today, you need to let your heart speak up and show your employees that you care about them and the company’s well being. My example of leadership with the heart is the story of women. The role of female managers and leaders were not quite significant in the past. We now see women managers, prime ministers, senators, supreme court judges, and many other careers that were meant only for men. In the business world, women currently hold only 4.6 percent of Fortune 500 CEO positions and the same percentage of Fortune 1000 CEO positions. This is because our society used to be dominated by men. Getting the work done and reaching the sales quota were enough. Does this mean women are leading the organization beyond its norm? It might be, from a women’s touch and her ability to see the big picture, women can fulfill what is lacking in men’s dominated organizations.
What are the unique abilities that women managers contribute and perform? Based on research and my encounter with numbers of women leaders including myself, I must say that many female leaders surprisingly have the ability to run the household and the family businesses at the same time! The woman’s instincts and emotional intelligence became an in born ability they possessed. They managed crisis and change by sensing and neutralizing as if they know in advance what could possibly happen to the organization and to their family. Women leaders are well-organized, loving and caring, spiritually guided and have a well-balanced life. Women leaders are multitasking people who think and make decisions using the whole brain, not just the left brain or the extremely right brain. They are practical and strategic. These came from their ability of being such a keen observer on things that are happening around them. The women leader are passionate entrepreneurs and are purpose driven.
In Thailand, wives are considered a “Chang Tao Lang” meaning the follower. Literally, it means the elephant’s back feet. The roles of Thai women are similar to other cultures where the wife and as a mother to her children, is considered a pillar of the family. As it goes, “behind every successful man, there is a woman”. I believe it works well for a woman’s role. Putting a man upfront and considering him head of the family who makes final and major decisions also shows that women can be a good partner whom you can seek for advice, support, and, someone to listen to your problems.
What proves women leaders to have a BIG heart is that they are good listeners, good problem solvers who consider various options. A woman leader is open to possibilities; she is forgiving, and could project the soft side of the organization. She believes in team building and the enforcement of mission, goals and values to assure that everyone is tuned in to the same level. Working as a team ensures the sense of continuity of the employment and the business. Loving and giving unconditionally, caring for individual sensitivity and understanding of human nature making it easier for employees to have each other’s backs, while working along side to fulfill the organization’s goal. The woman’s ability to adapt and her flexibility on change, allows her to assume more management and leadership roles in family owned businesses, corporations, and, government offices. These days, women leaders are highly respected and well received in society. Salute to women leaders!
“Love is the greatest power on Earth. It conquers all things.” Peace Pilgrim
