LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE - Part 4: Leadership and Gender

BRE Breakthrough Elite Agent Insider/Leadership/LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE - Part 4: Leadership and Gender

Wednesday, May 08, 2024

Leading is no easy feat, and it can be downright Herculean for women in industries dominated by men. Take the real estate industry, for example. The great majority of real estate companies are run by men. But let me tell you, my friend, that despite all the hurdles, women are crushing it in leadership roles like never before. It's high time we acknowledge the remarkable strengths and perspectives that women bring to the table. (So, to all the trailblazing women out there, keep breaking down those barriers, keep forging ahead, and keep inspiring the next generation of female leaders!)

Oh, how I adore Sheryl Sandberg's book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead"! In it, she speaks to the heart of the matter, acknowledging that women face some pretty unique challenges in the workplace. And let's face it, we need more women in leadership positions. I couldn't agree more with Sandberg's call for women to be more ambitious, negotiate like a boss, and lean in to their careers.

And then we have Brené Brown, who is a force to be reckoned with in her own right. In her book "Daring Greatly", she sheds light on the challenges of leadership for both men and women. Brown brilliantly emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership, revealing that leaders who are willing to take risks and be vulnerable build trust and connection with their team members.

Let’s explore some of the unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles, as well as insights from these leaders:

Overcome unconscious biases:

Identify and address any unconscious biases that may be affecting your ability to lead effectively.

Diversify your hiring process. One way to overcome unconscious biases is by ensuring that your hiring process is diverse and inclusive. Be mindful of the language used in job postings and avoid language that may exclude certain groups. Additionally, consider implementing blind resume screening to eliminate bias based on factors like name or education. Finally, seek out diverse candidates from a variety of backgrounds to ensure that you're not limiting your talent pool.

Encourage open dialogue. Another way to address unconscious biases is by creating a culture of open dialogue and feedback within your team. Encourage team members to share their perspectives and experiences, and be open to listening and learning from their insights. Additionally, provide training and education on unconscious biases to help team members become more aware of their own biases.

Set diversity and inclusion goals. As a leader, it's important to set goals and metrics around diversity and inclusion to ensure that you're making progress in addressing unconscious biases. For example, set a goal to increase the percentage of underrepresented groups on your team or implement training on unconscious biases for all team members. Regularly track progress toward these goals and adjust strategies as needed to ensure success.

Build a support system:

Foster a culture of mentorship. One way to build a support system is by fostering a culture of mentorship within your team. Encourage team members to mentor one another and provide opportunities for them to do so, such as pairing team members with different skill sets or experience levels. Additionally, seek out mentorship opportunities for yourself and encourage other team leaders to do the same.

Create opportunities for team bonding. Building a support system also involves creating opportunities for team bonding and relationship-building. This can include team-building activities such as group outings, volunteer work, or team lunches. These activities can help team members connect on a personal level and build stronger relationships.

Encourage collaboration and communication. Finally, building a support system involves encouraging collaboration and communication within your team. Encourage team members to work together on projects and provide opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. Additionally, create channels for open communication, such as regular team meetings or virtual brainstorming sessions. By fostering collaboration and communication, you'll build a more cohesive and supportive team.

Communicate effectively:

Use active listening techniques. One of the most effective ways to communicate with your team is by practicing active listening. This involves fully focusing on the person speaking, asking clarifying questions to ensure you understand their perspective, and repeating back what you've heard to confirm your understanding. By actively listening to your team members, you'll build trust and rapport and foster a culture of open communication.

Be transparent and clear. When communicating with your team, be transparent and clear about your expectations and goals. Clearly communicate deadlines, deliverables, and any other important details, and ensure that your team members have the resources they need to succeed. Additionally, be open to feedback and questions from your team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Adjust your communication style as needed. Different team members may have different communication styles or preferences, so it's important to be adaptable and adjust your style as needed. Some team members may prefer email communication, while others may prefer in-person meetings or phone calls. Be mindful of these differences and adjust your style to ensure that you're effectively communicating with everyone on your team.

Negotiate for what you want:

Know your worth and advocate for yourself. As a leader, it's important to know your own value and be willing to advocate for yourself and your team members. This means being comfortable asking for a better cap, a better split, better office space, or negotiating for better resources or support for your team. Be prepared to make a case for your request, and be willing to compromise if needed.

Encourage your team members to negotiate for themselves. In addition to advocating for yourself, it's important to encourage your team members to negotiate for themselves as well. This means encouraging them to ask for a raise or promotion when they've earned it, or negotiate for better resources or support for their work. Provide support and guidance as needed to help them navigate the negotiation process.

Be willing to compromise. Finally, effective negotiation involves being willing to compromise when needed. As a leader, you may not always get everything you want, but by being willing to compromise, you'll build stronger relationships with your team members and create a more collaborative and supportive team environment. Be open to finding creative solutions that meet everyone's needs and goals.

By overcoming the unique challenges faced by women in leadership roles, women can play a crucial role in creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Before we move on, let me share with you an experience I had in a leadership class just a few years ago. In the class, the instructor asked everyone in the class (which had 30 attendees with an equal number of men and women), to write down their top three most inspiring leaders. He then asked participants to share the names of the leaders on their lists. Every single person who volunteered to read their list named three male leaders. This was from 10 participants, both male and female. The instructor (who is male) was very impressed with the lists of names. I raised my hand. And when the instructor called on me, I pointed out that not one person had anyone who was female on their list. I asked the class why that was. The instructor was a bit taken aback. He had not realized the apparent bias in the room. We then had a great discussion about women in leadership and compiled a list of the most inspiring women we knew. Both men and women shared this bias. Note: This class was quite a few years ago. If I were in the class today I would also point out that not one “gender nonconforming” person was on anyone’s list.

I share this story to illustrate how our own bias can be a blind spot in our thinking. Therefore, become aware that you, as all humans, have biases in myriad areas of life and leadership, and do all you can to enlighten yourself around these biases.

Let's wrap our series up with Part Five: Leadership Styles >>>

Book Summary of "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg is a powerful and inspiring book that challenges women to pursue their ambitions and lean in to their careers. Sandberg, the COO of Facebook and one of the most influential women in tech, draws on her own experiences and research to explore the obstacles that women face in the workplace and offer practical advice for overcoming them.

The book is divided into three parts. In the first part, Sandberg discusses the internal barriers that hold women back from achieving their full potential, such as self-doubt, perfectionism, and the imposter syndrome. She encourages women to challenge these beliefs and to embrace their strengths and accomplishments.

In the second part, Sandberg explores the external barriers that women face in the workplace, such as gender bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. She provides eye-opening statistics and anecdotes that highlight the pervasive nature of these issues and offer strategies for overcoming them.

Finally, in the third part, Sandberg offers practical advice on how women can lean in and advance their careers, such as negotiating for better pay, seeking out mentors and sponsors, and balancing work and family.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the book is Sandberg's emphasis on the power of women supporting each other. She argues that women need to stand together and lift each other up, rather than competing against each other or tearing each other down. She provides examples of successful women who have helped each other and encourages readers to do the same.

Another key takeaway from the book is the importance of men as allies in the fight for gender equality. Sandberg argues that men need to be part of the conversation and take action to create more inclusive workplaces. She provides examples of men who have supported women and encourages readers to engage men in the effort.

Overall, Lean In is a witty and insightful book that offers valuable insights into the challenges that women face in the workplace and the strategies for overcoming them. Sandberg's writing is engaging and relatable, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to advance their career or support gender equality. So if you're ready to lean in and make a difference, pick up a copy of Lean In today – you won't regret it!

Book Summary of "Daring Greatly" by Brene Brown

Daring Greatly by Brene Brown is a powerful and transformative book that challenges readers to embrace vulnerability and live wholeheartedly. In this witty and inspiring book, Brown draws on years of research and personal experience to explore the connection between vulnerability, shame, and courage.

The book is divided into two parts. In the first part, Brown explores the concept of vulnerability and its role in our lives. She argues that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather the key to true connection and belonging. She provides practical tips on how to cultivate vulnerability, such as being authentic, setting boundaries, and asking for help.

In the second part, Brown focuses on shame and its impact on our lives. She argues that shame is the feeling that we are not good enough, and that it often holds us back from living our fullest lives. She provides strategies for overcoming shame, such as recognizing and challenging our negative self-talk, and practicing self-compassion.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the book is Brown's emphasis on the power of vulnerability to transform our relationships and communities. She argues that when we allow ourselves to be vulnerable, we create a space for others to do the same. This can lead to deeper connections and a greater sense of belonging.

Another key takeaway from the book is the importance of courage in living a wholehearted life. Brown argues that courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the willingness to take risks and face our fears. She provides practical tips on how to cultivate courage, such as practicing gratitude, setting boundaries, and embracing imperfection.

Overall, Daring Greatly is a witty and insightful book that offers valuable insights into the role of vulnerability, shame, and courage in our lives. Brown's writing is engaging and relatable, making it a great choice for anyone who wants to live more authentically and wholeheartedly.

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