Unleashing the Untapped Power: Why Women Make Superior Leaders (Based on Research)

In the words of my colleagues at CHIEF, here's a radical idea.

Let. Women. Lead

Because after all, women are successful leaders.

In fact women lead better than men.

Provocative statement? Yes.

But is it accurate? Also yes, according to research conducted by Jack Zenger and Joe Folkman.

Women scored statistically significantly higher on a host of leadership competencies as measured by their peers, direct reports, and managers.

Even on a ‘hard’ business skill like ‘Drives for Results’, women scored 55 compared to the average men’s score of 48.

And by the way, this was the 4th time Zenger and Folkman have done this analysis since 2012. Women scored higher each time. Other researchers have gotten these results as well (I've included sources in the comment section).

Why is this important? So glad you asked.

In the US, women make up only 21% of C-level positions. Women of color make up only 4%.

If women are such strong leaders, clearly there’s a whole lotta leadership talent being overlooked, ignored, sidelined, disenfranchised, and not recognized or promoted!

✔ What women are you mentoring to help them develop strong leadership competencies?

✔ How are you supporting women as they navigate the unwritten rules – the questions around leadership presence and being politically savvy?

✔ What women are you championing? Who are you singing the praises of whenever the opportunity presents itself?

✔ When was the last time you celebrated a female peer?

✔ What strategies are you employing to make sure women are not overlooked at your company?

➤ Let’s celebrate the strengths of the women around us.

➤ Let’s sponsor, coach, and guide women.

➤ Let’s create a more inclusive environment so all the young women in our lives have a more equitable environment in which to thrive.

Happy ✨𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙒𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣'𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙮!✨Though we shouldn't need a special day to say