It is not uncommon for the topic of gender balance in the workplace to arise repeatedly, but more often than not, it is reduced to a simple box-ticking exercise – did we hire enough women this year? However, the issue goes beyond equality and gender disparities and creates a society with strong and balanced leaders.
It is so important to have companies that encourage a change in perspective that shifts the narrative from one that is gender centric to one that is human-centric, where the main objective is to build more balanced leaders. It is not necessarily about men and women, but rather attributes of masculine and feminine. Research has shown that to innovate and deal with the current challenges we face as societies and businesses; we require different types of leadership. The issue of gender balance should not be considered a women’s issue but rather a societal and work environment issue. Creating positive change requires leaders who can engage in discussions beyond gender, race, and ethnicity and focus on the present and future.
Although women are increasingly taking on senior roles within multimillion-dollar companies, which represents a small segment, we remain a long way from achieving the balance we require as a society. As individuals, we should understand the general premise of why we need both female and male professionals at decision-making tables, not for women’s empowerment but to raise a generation that will be able to bring out the best in people and lead the way in innovation.
Today, more than ever before, communities are at the core of the decision-making process for both businesses and governments. In a world where consumers are more informed and globally oriented, companies gain the trust and loyalty of customers by contributing to a balanced local community.
Businesses can establish a sense of unity with their communities and potential customers when they support the causes they care about. Similarly, it is possible to apply the same concept to the relationship between governments and the people they serve. The more balanced the communities are, the more confidence in the government and the more engaged those communities become in the government’s vision and mission.
Essentially any change must occur on three levels to be sustainable: personally, interpersonally, and organizationally. It starts with the leaders, who must be aware of what kind of change they want to drive and what needs to change within them. You should engage your heart, mind, and hands, cascading these thoughts down to your team. A role-modeling approach to leadership is more effective than advanced strategies. People hear what you say, but they also observe what you do. Your next step is to engage others. The likelihood of resistance to a change is greatly decreased if everyone feels engaged in making a positive difference. Before implementing a change, be clear about its purpose and how it will benefit all employees, to avoid the appearance of an “imposed change. Identify and train change agents to improve team performance through positive influence.
Today’s leaders should pursue gender equality to nurture the next generation, who will be able to build societies more efficiently and progressively.