Download - Coimbatore2014GRGS-2-2
Women in Leadership
Dr. Hema A. Krishnan July, 2014
Coimbatore
Portions of this talk were presented at GRGS in July 2011 and Proctor & Gamble, U.S.A in 2014
Agenda
1. The famous and not-so-famous women leaders
2. Common traits shared by women leaders
3. Challenges faced by women
4. Leadership lessons
5. Next steps
The famous women leaders
Born and raised in ChennaiMiddle-class familyMBA from IIM-C and MPA from YaleWorked in J&J, BCG, Motorola19 years in a Fortune 100 company; CEOMarried; mother to two daughters
The famous women leaders
Born and raised in RajasthanMiddle-class familyICWAI and MBA from Jamanlal BajajOver 28 years in a leading Indian bankCurrently, CEO and MDMarried; one son and a daughter
The famous women leaders
Born and raised in Illinois Middle-class familyLaw degree from YaleFormer Senator from New York and
Secretary of State of the U.S.A.Married; one daughter
The unsung women leaders
Born and raised in New YorkAfrican AmericanEarly life: of poverty, raised by a single motherMaster’s in Elec Engg from ColumbiaOver 32 years in a tech, Fortune 500 companyCurrently, CEOMarried; two sons
The unsung women leaders
Born and raised in Michigan52 years oldEarly life: father worked in auto industryEducation- UG in elec engr, MBA Started at General Motors at age 18Married; two children
Common Traits of women leaders
Executive Orientation: Strong family backing,solid education, strong technical skills,self confidence, good social network,high EQ (emotional quotient) and SQ(spiritual quotient), patience (long tenure intheir organizations), empathy, had greatmentors, extraordinary work ethic, integrity,fairness, voracious readers, courage,
openness, humility
Challenges faced by womenA Balancing Act
Work front: Stereotyping, old-boys network, leadership and management style, power plays, compensation, few role models, few mentors, time management
Home front: Challenges of raising a family, cultural and social stereotypes
Personal front: Time management, stress management, the 40s-50s syndrome
Challenges faced by women
These challenges are channeled into:
Entrepreneurship and InnovationSeizing opportunities with rival firms
Challenges faced by women
U.S. women versus Indian women
Indian women leaders face challenges on multiple fronts:
Social factorsEconomic factorsLegal factors
But, are willing to put up with much nonsense; therein lies their success (unfortunately, at the expense of their health)
Lessons from women leaders
Communicate & Collaborate: Learn to listen!!Humility: Aspire for level 5 leadershipAttitude: Be positive, encouraging, upbeatRespect: all your constituencies, especially
those in the lower levels of the firmInstincts: Learn to trust themSupport: Your team personally, professionallyMessage: Have a consistent messageAct! To correct injusticeThank yous: say them often, send notesInnovation: Be entrepreneurial, flexibleCompany and constituencies: Do what is right
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LEVEL 5 LEADERS (Jim Collins)
Level 5leaders
Build greatness through combination of will and humility
Level 4 leadersCan lead a group to superior levels of performance
Level 3 leadersOrganize people resources to accomplish predetermined objectives
Level 2 leadersWork effectively with others as a member of a team to achieve group objectives
Level 1 leadersMake individual contributions through talent and work ethic
Capabilities
Recent Lessons I have learned
Watch out for mental/emotional issues in your employees
Be fair and transparent
Be accessible, unpretentious and friendly
Do not take things personally
Read, Read, and Read even more………
Manage your stress: pick up a hobby, set limits
Next Steps for women leaders
1. Entrepreneurial, be open to others’ ideas 2. Be a mentor, continue to be mentored3. Improve your EQ4. Do not be a micro manager; Empower 5. Think long-term6. Action oriented
Women and the bottom-line of organizations:+