The rivalry between women and men is as old as the world. The persistence of women in standing up to the lords of creation even in professional positions has brought them a little closer to professional equality. What was hardly imaginable thirty years ago — namely that women would occupy leadership positions and assume responsibility at broad and top levels — is nowadays no longer so unusual. Whether in the private sector or in politics, women increasingly hold their own. And objectively speaking, they do so equally. Nevertheless, female executives have to contend with skepticism from colleagues, customers and superiors. They are judged more critically and, not least, are still paid significantly less than men in the same positions. Women who want to rise into the ranks of executives, or assert themselves there, can learn, optimize and refine proven success factors in seminars, training courses and workshops in a practice-oriented way. Practice is simulated in individual or group work.
The everyday life of female executives: a persistent challenge
Women’s professional careers are interrupted far more often than those of their male colleagues. In addition, absences — for example due to the birth of a child — often occur at the stage when a career is just gaining momentum. And yet more and more women are attaining leadership roles. This is a fact rooted in the effective application of powerful leadership tools. Clear role awareness, confident action, personality, and the targeted use of female body language including charisma make up this ‘self-marketing’. Confident handling of typical ‘women’s traps’ and prejudices is high on the priority list of successful female executives, as is questioning prevailing ‘beliefs’ and objectively analysing the similarities and differences between female and male leadership qualities. In this professional field of tension, which swings between cooperation and authority, women increasingly play a role that should not be underestimated because it is highly competent.
Here too, the journey is the goal
How topical the issue of women in leadership roles is can be seen from a successful series of events at which, since 2009, top female executives from Bergisches-region companies have met annually at changing locations. The concentrated female leadership expertise exchanges ideas, discusses and networks. Here one’s own leadership style is addressed just as much as leadership tools, communication, stage presence, as well as leadership methods and their inevitable consequences. They know what they are talking about. On the long and arduous path to equal opportunity they have succeeded. They also know that the manifestation of a corporate culture plays a significant role in enabling women to follow the traditional career path into the executive floor.
