When I talk about gender equality in leadership, a common question comes up: Why should I attend a Women in Leadership program and not a broader leadership program? After leading all types of leadership programs for many years, here’s my take. It will take less than two minutes to read – but it may just shift your perspective.
The journey to leadership looks different for everyone, but there’s something uniquely challenging and rewarding about the path trodden by women. That’s why it brings me immense joy to discuss why women-specific leadership programs are not just beneficial but necessary.
The answer is two-fold: first, women-specific programs are a haven – a safe space where we can candidly address our triumphs and tribulations without external judgment. Here, there’s room to laugh at our mistakes, share our uncertainties and emerge stronger, not despite our challenges but because of them.
I believe that leadership education must be free from the one-size-fits-all approach. A mixed-gender program, while valuable in its own right, may inadvertently perpetuate certain stereotypes about how a woman leader should behave. Those societal expectations can seep into the subconscious and hinder a woman’s ability to lead authentically.
In an all-women environment, the dynamic shifts. Conversations veer towards common experiences, vulnerabilities are shared with less inhibition and there’s an inherent understanding that fosters genuine growth. Beyond curriculum, the alliance and camaraderie we find in women-specific leadership programs are transformational.
We all crave understanding and acceptance, and sometimes, we find that most freely among those who see the world through a similar lens.
The result? Empowered women leaders equipped with the tools, confidence and network to take their rightful place at the head of the table. That is the power of women-specific leadership programs.
Tracey Ward is a senior facilitator and the leader of Phuel’s Women in Leadership program. Find out more about this proven leadership program here or contact us on 1300 103 882 to discuss your specific goals.
