THE CHANGING
WORLD OF LEADERSHIP The benefits for companies of having women in leadership positions
CEO of Shirley Zinn Consulting Dr Shirley Zinn
T
he world has changed significantly and it is an understatement to say we live in incredibly challenging times given climate action, the pandemic, lack of governance and ethics, conflicts and widening inequalities at multiple levels. This has impacted each one of us as we are all part of a broader and interconnected ecosystem. We have suffered illness, mental wellness issues, stress, uncertainty, burnout, “always on” syndrome, loss, grief, GBVF, financial wellbeing challenges, retrenchment, and many have lost their businesses. Indeed, in Africa, women and girls have largely borne the brunt of the pandemic,
as the virus has exacerbated alreadyexisting gender inequalities, laying bare serious fault lines in safety, physical and mental health, education, domestic responsibilities, and employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Invisible lives, missing voices: Putting women and girls at the centre of post-COVID recovery and reconstruction. The unfinished business of gender equality in a post-pandemic recovery remains a major priority on the world agenda. Many companies have penned commitments to embracing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. I would like to add Belonging to this list. This fast becoming a business concept is the key to making DEI
work more effectively. It implies a psychological need that all humans have, to feel connected, accepted, recognised, acknowledged and included. Companies recognise the benefits of creating a sense of community and connectedness for employees, customers and stakeholders. The role of leadership is to foster this sense of belonging driven by values, culture, practices, policies that employees feel like they are serving a company with a higher purpose than themselves. This unleashes engagement and people feel more invested in their work. Research over many years now shows that more diversity of skills, of thinking, of experiences, of insight and of
S TA N D A R D B A N K TO P WO M E N L EAD ER S
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