Why Women Need to Lead

In general, a headline like, “Why Men Need Women” makes me turn the page and roll my eyes, but Adam Grant’s opinion piece in the New York Times a few weeks ago wasn’t really about that.

Whether the research is groundbreaking or an interesting aside, it made me think a bit because it turns out that male CEOs who have sons pay their workers less after becoming fathers and those who have daughters pay their workers more.  And it seems study after study links generosity to having sisters or daughters.

But not only that – not surprisingly, studies in education link cooperation between different groups to diminishing stereotypes and increased respect.  So, as Grant postulates, maybe part of the importance of women in leadership roles comes not only for the good they can do and the differing perspectives hey can offer but from the influence that has on the men around them.  In his words, “Increases in motivation, cooperation, and innovation in companies may be fueled not only by the direct actions of female leaders, but also by their influence on male leaders.”

Just another reason for each of us to continue to challenge the status quo and work to change the ratio of women in high-level leadership roles by advancing ourselves and those around us.