Become a female leader with staying power. Aspiring leaders, both female and male, strive to develop universally recognized qualities of leadership. However, women face additional challenges, both internal and external, which if not adressed, interfere with women becoming robust leaders with staying power.
The higher women climb on the leadership ladder, the more they need to concentrate on strategy and building relationships and less on production and getting things perfect. This transition can be rocky. Many women also need to figure out how to reconcile their leadership responsibilities with family life.
Talented female leaders frequently become disillusioned and leave their jobs when they lack a safe space and a thinking partner to reflect on their challenges and concerns. Coaching offers a process for exploring the obstacles and dilemma’s women face as leaders, and an opportunity to devise practical strategies to manage them. Leadership coaching is key to supporting women to continue to make their vital contributions, while bolstering gender parity in the workplace.
My approach to leadership coaching for women has evolved through learning from female leaders, researching the work of experts, and my own coaching experience. I have developed The Female Leadership Wheel™ a visual tool to idenitfy areas of focus and give direction to our coaching process.
Here are some of the core ideas and challenges I have identified through coaching developing female leaders. Which of them resonate for you?
Leadership means taking responsibility for your own well-being. You were confident about your passions and expertise, but when you stepped up for a leadership role, you may have underestimated the challenges of the relentless demands, rocky collaborations and minimal appreciation that you encountered. Maybe you are questioning your commitment and whether you really have what it takes to be a leader. Good! Challenge: Stop blaming other people. Start setting boundaries.
Leadership is a mindset, not a job description. Your talent and experience belong to you, and you are free to manifest them in a variety of settings. In which ways are you a good fit with your organization? What do you really want to achieve? Where do you want to create change? Challenge: Reboot your own purpose and motivations.We'll reconnect with your core values and map out your unique story in order to identify what's important to you in your life right now.
A thriving Leader is a learning Leader. You can trust that you are accomplished as you are, but to function effectively in the jungle of organizations you have got to take a critical look at areas which need further development. This learning process includes confronting the realities of the culture in which you are operating , and devising strategies for building support for your agenda in that context. Challenge: Test your assumptions and explore alternatives. Together we will dig deep to expose your own ‘limiting convictions’ and create more empowering alternatives to fuel your confidence and consistency as a leader.
Knock a Leader down and she'll rise up stronger than ever. The coaching process provides a safe space to face obstacles head-on, detox from depowering workplace experiences, and develop new approaches for effective leadership. Challenge: Power-up and get back into the ring. Armed with a renewed sense of purpose, practical tools for self-empowerment and a positive outlook, you are ready to step back into your role and lead the way.
For who ?
Women in leadership roles in organizations, or women entrepreneurs, who have trouble with:
Resisting the impulse to 'over-help'
Recognizing and honoring thier own needs
Holding others accountable
Saying ''No''
Networking
Being OK with not always being liked
Effective communication
Taking credit for their achievements
Healing from negative workplace experiences
Figuring out their next career step
Perfectionism
Reconciling leadership role with family life
If you are a female leader seeking support in coping with any of the above issues, please get in touch to schedule free 30 minute consultation by phone or Skype.
