As an executive coach I’ve seen both men and women make mistakes that cause others to doubt their leadership potential. Leadership mistakes are not in the exclusive domain of women. But I believe that our families, our communities, and our countries suffer when capable women exhibit a reluctance to lead. I’m often asked if I think women make better leaders than men. No, I don’t think that. Leaders aren’t good because they belong to one gender or the other, they’re good because they possess the qualities and characteristics needed for a particular time and place.
It’s been said that great leaders aren’t interchangeable. Whereas Patton was a great leader during World War II, I don’t think he could effectively lead today’s troops. Similarly, whereas Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, built a great company at a time when women wanted opportunities to be financially independent and spend time with their families, I don’t think she could have replaced Carly Fiorina at HP Compaq. No, gender is not a prerequisite for leadership. |