Top 5 Leadership Skills for Women

There are five essential leadership skills we believe women can develop to reach their full potential as leaders. These include strong leadership skills, power and influence, negotiating, overcoming resistance, and networking skills. Collectively, these skills will help you develop as a leader, reach your full potential, and advance your career into C-suite positions.

In the corporate sector, women are still not reaching their full potential or being promoted into C-suite roles. Leadership and management courses can be instrumental in helping women overcome these barriers.

In 2020, only 19.3% of executives and 7.9% of CEOs were women in corporate companies within the European Union. However, multiple studies have found that both men and women don’t differ much in effective leadership styles. In fact, women have been found to be slightly more talented in this area, showcasing some of the greatest leadership qualities.

The real problem clearly is not that women don’t have the proper skills to become strong leaders, but that there are more obstacles for women than men. Effective leadership often requires navigating these additional challenges, making leadership development crucial for women.

Ultimately, women do not need to change to become great leaders, but in a world where men dominate the C-Suite corporate sector, things need to change for women to take a well-deserved seat at the table. Leadership development programs can provide the tools needed to excel.

We have put together the top five leadership skills for women that you can develop to guarantee you get ahead of your male counterparts and reach your potential as a woman leader.

1. Leadership Skills

One of the most obvious skills that women can develop is leadership skills. These include abilities like emotional intelligence, communication proficiency, decisiveness, motivation, and effective delegation, which collectively contribute to effective leadership.

Many of these skills come naturally to women, but it’s always worth upskilling and developing them further in a professional way. You can do this by attending leadership and management courses that focus on enhancing these critical skills.

2. Power and Influence

Power and influence go hand in hand in achieving organizational goals and objectives. Women who use their power effectively can influence others' behavior, which is essential for successful leadership.

Some employees may resist efforts to improve their performance, but by gaining respect and trust through your hard work, emotional intelligence, and motivational mindset, strong women leaders will be able to overcome this resistance.

Always remember to have confidence in your own abilities as a leader, and power and influence will naturally follow.

3. Negotiating

Negotiating is a crucial skill if you want to progress in your career. Research has found that women are less likely to negotiate for better positions or higher pay due to gender bias. However, effective negotiation is a key leadership skill that can set you apart.

Firstly, do your research. Ask your male and female peers who have asked for pay rises what to expect. Next, practice your pitch and be clear about why you deserve that job promotion or pay rise. Highlight your leadership skills, achievements, and future vision.

Lastly, ensure you ask for a specific amount. Men are more likely to ask for more than women in the same positions, so never undersell yourself. If anything, oversell yourself to be in a better negotiating position, increasing your chances of getting what you deserve.

4. Overcoming Resistance to Change

Change is inevitable in any organisation, and those that adapt successfully thrive. However, overcoming resistance to change can be difficult, especially with employees who have been with the company for many years.

The best way to overcome this as a woman leader is through great communication and employee engagement. Effective leadership in times of change requires a constant flow of communication, so employees are always informed and feel involved in the process.

Engage with employees, listen to their thoughts on the change, and ask questions about whether the change is working and what could be improved. This approach, paired with both formal and informal communication, will help you develop trust among your employees, making the transition smoother.

5. Networking

Many people dismiss networking as they find it insincere. However, networking is a critical aspect of leadership and teamwork, helping to build strong relationships that can further your career.

Women need a strong network of trusted partners who can help them get results and influence others. To develop as a leader, it’s essential to have a network of mentors, sponsors, coaches, and other leaders in your sector. These connections can help you advance, earn promotions, and gain new opportunities.

These five tips are just a starting point for women who want to progress as leaders. There’s still much bias against women in C-suite positions, but developing these five skills can help combat that in a male-dominated sector.

Take the Next Step

Here at Salford Professional Development, we offer leadership courses that can help you develop these skills and more, supporting you in reaching your full potential. Our Women in Leadership Course focuses on building leadership skills, with access to our exclusive networking support group, ensuring you are well-equipped to excel in leadership and teamwork.