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Building a career and running a business are no longer exclusively male domains. Nevertheless, significant differences endure in how women and men navigate their professional paths.
Although society's patriarchal structure often leads us to believe that these disparities disadvantage women, the reality can be quite the opposite. Women possess inherent qualities that men frequently spend a lifetime trying to cultivate. These natural traits allow women to not only lead their teams more effectively but also to thrive as successful leaders. In fact, in many developed nations, women hold over 40% of top management positions. Events focused on women in business, such as the WE Convention, have become a regular feature on the global stage.
To celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, the Lectera team extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the remarkable women around the world. Let's take a moment to reflect on their incredible qualities-superpowers if you will-and share some intriguing statistics, as well as suggest thoughtful gift ideas to help these super abilities reach their fullest potential.
A strong degree of emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage emotions in oneself and others. Women have a natural advantage in empathy, a fundamental aspect of emotional intelligence (EI). Research suggests that this advantage may stem from women having a higher number of mirror neurons in their brains than men. These neurons are vital for observing, imitating, and understanding actions and emotions in our environment. Although the exact reason for the difference in neuron counts remains unclear, it is thought to be connected to women's reproductive roles, emphasising the need to nurture offspring and swiftly interpret non-verbal cues for their child's survival.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that women demonstrate higher emotional intelligence. This advantage enables them to connect more effortlessly with colleagues, partners, and clients. It also helps them better identify and nurture the potential and talents of their employees, inspiring higher-quality results and fostering more comfortable working environments-all of which contribute to improved productivity. Notably, research conducted in 2023 revealed that startups founded by women outperformed those established by men in terms of annual results. Any guesses as to why?
Are you curious about which Lectera course can help you perfect this super skill? Look no further than the course "Emotional Intelligence. Becoming Happier and Faster To Succeed!" This course examines the hormonal aspects of emotions, self-regulation strategies, and techniques for managing emotions to foster strong and meaningful relationships. For your children, the course "Freedom of Communication. The Emotional Intelligence of a Teen" could also be a valuable resource!
Multitasking and the capacity to accomplish everything and anything
Women have developed this remarkable skill not through nature but through societal expectations and persistent misconceptions, often referred to as "inflated expectations." The reasoning is straightforward: who, if not women, is traditionally expected to balance raising multiple children while maintaining an immaculate home reminiscent of scenes from an American television show, cooking, cleaning, and still earning an income-not merely for their own needs but ideally for the entire family? While women are progressively distancing themselves from these contradictory and demanding roles, they continue to excel in the invaluable skill of multitasking. Consequently, they often accomplish far more in a single day than men. This ability enables them to efficiently oversee multiple projects simultaneously, lead large teams, master cross-functional roles, and seamlessly balance family life with building a flourishing career.
However, for this very reason, statistics indicate that women receive 1.2 times less rest than men and are more vulnerable to mental health issues such as anxiety disorders and depression, particularly when confronted with chronic stress. Regarding the development of multitasking skills, opinions among experts often diverge. Some argue that multitasking reduces focus and impairs memory retention. Consequently, this superpower, while useful, can sometimes have a negative impact on women.
Are you looking for a Lectera course to help women improve their multitasking skills and manage stress more effectively? Consider the course "Family, Job, Hobby. How To Raise Kids and Keep Pace!" This course encompasses everything from nurturing harmonious parenting and engaging in beneficial activities with your child to sustaining family discipline and comfort. It also offers strategies for addressing tantrums, alleviating stress, and successfully balancing multiple responsibilities. Likewise, the course "Home Time Management" could also serve as a valuable resource!
Cross-thinking
This leads to a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the job market and its intricate relationships. Women, consequently, tend to adapt more seamlessly to changing circumstances, adjusting effortlessly to new rules and conditions. Cross-thinking, which involves drawing parallels, making associations, and paying attention to finer details, plays a pivotal role in this process. While some experts argue that this skill can be cultivated, it is predominantly influenced by the operation of neurons-a distinction that varies between men and women. Men are generally more adept at navigating linear, unfamiliar, and critical situations, whereas women excel in dynamic and strategically significant contexts. This ability enables women to analyse the market more effectively, identify hidden yet promising trends, and uncover opportunities for growth.
The downside of cross-thinking often lies in the tendency for prolonged reflection and self-doubt. Women, who excel at examining the finer details that may go unnoticed by men, also bear the responsibility of making decisions based on this wealth of information. The larger the volume of information, the more challenging it becomes to reach the right decision, as it necessitates accounting for numerous independent variables.
Which Lectera course can help a woman navigate difficult decisions, particularly in management settings? The course "Methods of Making Management Decisions" teaches various useful techniques, such as SCAMPER and RAPID, helping you respond swiftly to problems while maintaining confidence in critical situations. Additionally, the course "The Perfect Manager. Create a Team Development Strategy" may also be beneficial!
Flexibility and a composed approach to competition
Women have been endowed with this remarkable ability throughout the history of human civilisation. It is widely recognised that women have historically formed a largely powerless segment of the population, often suppressed and denied opportunities for personal and professional development. Although women in most countries today enjoy rights and opportunities comparable to those of men, the remnants of past exclusion continue to impact many societies. As a result, there are still industries in which women, facing biases and gender barriers-often invisible like a "glass ceiling"-are required to exert more effort and work longer hours than their male counterparts to achieve the same positions.
In this context, women are quite familiar with competition. They typically handle it with poise, regarding it as a natural and vital part of their development-possibly even an opportunity to excel. Women are often perceived as "long-term players," consistently prioritising sustainable advancement, while men may approach competition with greater aggression, aiming for market dominance. However, this intense ambition can lead men to attain leadership roles only to abandon them more hastily.
Which Lectera course can enhance your competitiveness in the job market and lead you to your ideal role? Consider the "Career Marathon With Mila Semeshkina." In this course, you will thoroughly reassess your career, develop a clear roadmap, understand the current needs of employers, and strategically leverage your professional strengths to secure promotions quickly.
These "superpowers" are not just confined to women and do not exist in every female, as everyone is unique. Factors such as upbringing, personal choices, lifestyle, and cultural background have a significant influence on this. Women are exceptional and can achieve remarkable heights in any field they choose to pursue. International Women's Day, which takes place on March 8th, serves as an important reminder of this fact. A thoughtful and universal gift for the occasion could be a ticket to the upcoming International Women's Conference, WE Convention 2025, in Dubai. This event offers a chance to connect with inspiring women worldwide, gain valuable insights into business and career development, and establish meaningful professional connections.
