Why Women’s Leadership Matters

Seeing more qualified women in leadership roles certainly serves as a motivator for female athletes, which results in positive outcomes in terms of their health, education, and even positioning in the workforce.

According to an article on sportingher.com, women leaders have also been described as more transformational than male leaders.

They serve as role models for their subordinates, team, and sometimes colleagues. It has been debated that female leaders spend more time trying to understand their team, learning what inspires and motivates each member to ensure higher productivity and employee satisfaction and retention. Women leaders prioritise teamwork and authentic communication as a key to success.

Due to their competitive nature, women leaders are willing and ready to go the extra mile, make sacrifice to ensure their team succeeds and achieves their goals. They persevere through obstacles, they make tough strategic decisions, and most care about more than the payday at the end of the month. Great qualities of a good leader.

Ways to increase the number of women leaders in sport

Support and promote gender equality

The gender of person should not be the sole focus in relation to a position, payment/salary, projects etc. If a woman is more qualified for the position, hire her. Women shouldn’t be subjected to lesser salaries compared to men with the same position.

Challenge societal norms and stereotypes

Anyone can lead a group or a team providing they are qualified, have the skills and knowledge and are willing to learn, grow/develop. We need to challenge the belief that sport, and leadership roles are a man’s thing and women have no place. Give women the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge.

Supporting projects/events of women in sport

Colleagues of women leaders should lend a helping hand when it comes to her projects or events. Any little support will go a long way to make their projects successful hence giving them the confidence to do better and more. Media coverage of women’s sport is also a great form of support as this will show upcoming female athletes the opportunities that’s in store for them and also create more awareness on women’s sport.