While there may be many reasons for women not rising to the top in companies.

Lack of an appropriate leadership style is definitely one of them.

Women leadership Business Role

Many women struggle to find the correct balance between being excessively dominating and not being aggressive enough.

If women are to become effective leaders.

How can they determine which are the most appropriate personality traits to be adopted?

The varied examples of leadership are many, ranging from the Fortune 500 to Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Though both lists contain highly successful companies.

There is a often a noticeable difference in the way they’re run.

With one focused on a more traditional model of profitability (driven toward the bottom line).

While the other seeks to provide a more modern approach to business.

With leaders that strive to bring out the best in their employees.

A process that in turn enables those people to contribute to the organization more creatively  contributions that in themselves drive the success of the venture.

And this process starts at the top.

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4. Leadership traits

There are a limitless number of ways to describe the attributes of a true leader.

However, taking into account the new focus on employee-centric companies mentioned above.

Leaders in these organizations are driven by what they can do for other people and, as such, often possess the following traits:

• Readily willing to listen and make decisions based on a diverse range of views
• Acts as a guide or a coach, as opposed to those who dictate
• Provides credit for success to subordinates (rather than accepting it for themselves)
• Enables and empowers by providing free reign on business functions
• Enlightens people through development and education, whether based on the leader’s personal experience or outside resources
• Inspires others through a level of personal belief in the business venture
• Motivates people through positive reinforcement and rewards
• Leads by example
• Serves people, looking out for their best interest

5. Serving Others Through Empowerment

The above mentioned traits have one thing at their center.

And it’s this focus on people that seems to motivate many of the most successful leaders,.

From athletic coaches to business entrepreneurs.

Often possessing an innate ability to see in others what those people may not see in themselves.

The true leader cultivates the best in people and genuinely wants to see them succeed.

Women leadership Business Role

6.Providing resources

Also viewed as a mentor, the true leader delivers empowerment by providing resources.

Enabling others to realize options and possibilities they hadn’t thought of through exposure to external or internal education and development.

7. Provide collaborative environment

Within this scenario, the leader is motivated to liberate subordinates rather than control them.

Thereby generating a more collaborative environment that leads to innovation, competitive edge and overall success.

Though this approach is impractical for military or law enforcement.

Where following the orders of an authoritarian leader is necessary due to the often confidential nature of information.

On the whole, true leaders in the civilian world strive to help others learn, grow and develop by freeing them from the limitations that hold them back.

In doing so, these individuals inspire a natural state of loyalty that, as seen in the 100 Best Companies to Work For cited above, leads to unquestionable success.

There is no complete answer to this question. Following some of these steps may help.

8.Believe in yourself

As a woman manager, are you convinced that you are as good at your job as your male counterparts?

If you are as capable as them, there is no reason that you should hide it.

Subordinates will respect you for your knowledge and effectiveness in your job.

Learn to highlight your achievements at the correct opportunities.

Of course, this does not mean adopting a loud and a self-aggrandizing attitude.

As you become known for the quality of your work and for your achievements.

Your team and peers will start accepting you as a strong leader.

Women leadership Business Role

9.Find a mentor

One of the best ways to develop an effective leadership style is to adopt the practices followed by a senior manager in your company.

In most cases, you will have to find a female manager who has leadership and management traits that you admire.

Using the techniques that a male executive finds appropriate may not work for you.

Given the shortage of women in senior positions in many companies.

You may have to look outside your firm for a role model.

You can consider joining a trade body or an industry organization to find the most appropriate mentor.

Observe your mentor’s behavior closely.

Especially how she reacts in stressful or difficult situations.

It is important to develop your own leadership style.

But utilizing what you learn from a successful manager to mold your own behavior can be a good starting point.

10. Maintain a professional attitude at work

It is essential that you establish a close relationship with your team members.

But you should be careful not to go overboard.

And discuss matters that clearly do not belong in the workplace.

Maintain a distinct boundary between your office and your personal life.

This will stand you in good stead and help to establish your credentials as a mature leader.

11.  Be a role model

In your endeavor to adopt the most effective leadership style.

It will be useful to remember what the respected management guru.

Your first and foremost job as a leader is to take charge of your own energy.

And then help to orchestrate the energy of those around you.

Women leadership Business Role