Women in Leadership with the Right Brain
Commentaries on the economic meltdown intently focus on Wall Street, bankers, and greedy Ponzi operators i.e., the men accused of creating this mess. However, in stark contrast there are a handful of commentaries suggesting women will be the ones to clean up the mess.
Linda Tarr-Whelman, an expert on women in the economy issues, Finally a Glimmer of Light: More Women in Leadership Is Better for Business, offers an insightful overview on how women will affect more positive business outcomes than the good ol’ boys self-protective, business as usual out-of-touch agenda. Ms. Tarr-Whelman makes her case that business, government and universities are underrepresented by capable women in at the leadership level.
Women in more leadership roles will provide fresh blood and new ideas rather than having rising junior executive males perpetuating the status quo. What women bring to the table is more balanced leadership. With their different kinds of experiences and input, women give a broader perspective to the changing social dynamics that most men have failed to see.
Women who already function in business and government have proven the success of a more integrative approach to resolution which includes collaboration and consensus. A very public example is Sarah Palin. During her run for Vice President, it was reported that as the Republican Governor of Alaska she was known to have maintained a good working relationship with the Democratic members on state legislative issues.
It appears evident that due to the swiftness and world-wide implications of this economic downturn, business will not be returning to business as usual. Women will have the opportunity to fill the voids with different approaches to problem solving and creative solutions.
While the focus will be on increasing women in leadership the underlying reason for success will come from their ability to have a greater opportunity to take advantage of their right brain hemisphere.
It is the right brain hemisphere that men eschew for its lack of logic, rules and structure. But it is precisely the right brain hemisphere where the source of new thought, new perspective and new creative solutions will come from to turn the economy in a new direction.
Women will just find it much easier than men to find a balance in leadership and a balance between using both right and left brain hemispheres.