Breaking Barriers and Building the Future of Your Leadership in Male-Dominated Industries
As we gear up for another year, let's talk about something near and dear to my heart and absolutely critical to the future of the world (yes, the WHOLE world)–the incredible power and unstoppable rise of female leadership in male-dominated industries. And let’s just pause for a moment to acknowledge and celebrate that you're not just part of this movement; you're at its forefront!
You, my brilliant, bold, badass trailblazer, are redefining what leadership looks like in the 21st century. Yes, you. Own your sh*t. (Quit looking over your shoulder like I’m talking to somebody else. Do you see anyone else sitting here reading this blog post?)
Breaking barriers to build the future of your leadership.
If you’re as seasoned as I am, you remember the days when seeing a woman in a C-suite role was as impossible as looking for a needle in a haystack. Those days are fading, my friends. Maybe not as fast as we would like, but they are fading. And you are one of the people holding the eraser to what we (the global ‘we’) accepted about women in male-dominated industries–that they had no place there.
You are rewriting the rules and transforming the industries from science to engineering to tech. Now is the time for women’s leadership in STEM, and you’re right there, blazing the path. You are breaking barriers. Not just for you, but for the women following behind.
Yes, it's been a journey riddled with challenges–battling stereotypes and harassment, working twice as hard to prove your worth, and having to throw manners out the window and get uncomfortable (you know, speaking up, talking over others, interrupting…) to be seen and heard. But here's what also is true…Every challenge you've faced has honed your skills, sharpened your instincts, and made you the powerhouse leader you are today and will shape the future of your leadership.
The advantages of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry.
That’s to say, there are some advantages to the challenges you’ve faced: some silver linings or collateral blessings. However, you want to look at it. I can see at least five benefits of being a female leader in a male-dominated industry, and these five things don’t just make you a powerful leader now. They’ll continue to make you a powerful leader for tomorrow and the next day and the next…
1. Innovative Problem-Solving
Often, female leaders bring a fresh point of view to challenges, given their different life experiences and the problems they’ve faced. These diverse insights can lead to innovative solutions in a room full of traditional viewpoints. Your unique perspective is like running a comb through a crowd full of bed-head. You see a way through the knots when others only see tangles. Your ability to think outside the box? It's gold, and it's driving innovation.
2. Collaborative Communication
Women, on average, have a collaborative and understanding communication style, which fosters open dialogue, encourages team members to voice opinions, and leads to more comprehensive decision-making. Kudos! Your communication style nurtures teamwork, keeps the lines of communication open, and creates a culture of belonging. You're not just building teams; you're building communities.
3. Championing Diversity and Fostering Diverse Teams
Female leaders often emphasize diversity in the workplace and are more likely to champion inclusive hiring practices. This leads to diverse teams that bring a wealth of different ideas and experiences. You know that a diverse team is a strong team; it's about bringing together a kaleidoscope of ideas that drive success.
4. Leveraging Emotional Intelligence
Several studies suggest women possess higher levels of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions AND those of others. Truly, emotional intelligence is invaluable in leadership because it helps conflict resolution and team dynamics. Your ability to read the room, understand dynamics, and manage conflicts? That’s a superpower. Emotional intelligence isn't just a buzzword; it's your secret weapon.
5. Inspiring Future Generations
Having a woman at the helm can inspire other women and young girls. By seeing others in the field, they recognize there’s a place for them. That they can achieve anything regardless of gender. Every step you take, every barrier you break, is a new light on the path for the next generation of female leaders to follow.
The future of your leadership is here.
So, as we look to the new year, it’s time to get rid of this year’s (or last year’s) playbook you’ve been using. It’s got no business guiding you where you want to go next. You've already been navigating the choppy waters of male-dominated industries and doing a bang-up job. It’s time to up your game and set the stage for a year where you don't just fly–you soar higher than you’ve been before.
Embrace your inner trailblazer.
First and foremost, embrace your inner trailblazer. Reflect on and celebrate those five things we just mentioned and revel in the fact they are your superpowers. In this coming year, continue using, shaping, and celebrating them.
Set goals with grit and grace.
Second, set goals with grit and grace. And I’m not talking about “safe” goals. I’m talking about the “sitting out on the skinny branches, scared to death you might fall” kind. The kind that simultaneously thrills you and terrifies you. You know how to face challenges head-on. You know you’ve got the grit to tackle them and the grace to learn from them regardless of the result. So, set those big, hairy audacious goals and keep in mind that it’s more about the journey than the destination.
Learn something new.
Third, never quick learning. Continuous learning is as much a secret weapon as emotional intelligence. The world changes fast, and to keep up, you’ve got to be a lifer when it comes to learning. Be mindful, however, that learning isn’t just about coursework or reading a book. You also learn through listening, observing, and interacting with the world around you. Turn every experience into a moment to learn. Commit to learning something new, but don’t just make learning all work-related. Learn something that feeds your soul, too.
Focus on breaking new ground.
Next, keep your eyes set on breaking new ground. You're not just in your industry to fill a quota or put a butt in a chair and punch in and out for the day. You're there to make waves, rewrite the rules, transform the field, break barriers, and pave the way for others to follow. In this next year, focus on not just being in the room but owning it. Speak up. Share your ideas. Take the lead!
Take care of the woman inside the power suit.
Lastly, and most importantly, let's not forget about you, the woman inside the power suit. In this coming year, I want you to make a promise to yourself to find joy in the little things. To take care of your self–mind, body, spirit. To celebrate every win, big or small. Because at the end of the day, your fulfillment is the gas that keeps the fire of your brilliance, leadership, and determination burning.
Make next year a testament to the power of your leadership.
The male-dominated world of STEM is changing, and you're the one driving it. Your leadership isn't just a nice-to-have; it's essential for innovation and success. So, here's to you. To the barriers that you’ve broken. To the progress you’ve made. To everything you accomplished this year and everything you’ll accomplish next. Make these next twelve months a testament to the power of your female leadership.
—
Ready to launch yourself into your best leadership year yet? Kick off 2024 by joining me on January 10th and 11th for my Unleash Your Legacy retreat. Together we’ll ignite your leadership potential and define your path to the top. Or, if you can’t make the retreat and would like a little 1:1 time, consider a VIP Strategy Day a combination of visioning + strategy + execution where we dive deep into your biggest leadership opportunity right now.
