Are women better leaders than men? - Leadership

Summary

The video script explores the challenges and prejudices female leaders face in a male-dominated world, highlighting the Finnish government's all-female coalition as a case study. It discusses the importance of care and inclusion in their leadership style, which has been praised for its effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite potential harsher judgment and the risk of being treated differently due to gender, the script argues that women's leadership, with its emphasis on compassion and collaboration, is crucial for tackling global crises and can lead to more robust and effective decision-making in businesses and governments.

Takeaways

• 🌍 The Finnish government's all-female coalition, including the world's youngest Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, reflects a progressive stance on gender equality in leadership.
• 🚀 Women leaders face significant risks and judgements based on gender prejudice, which can lead to harsher criticism compared to their male counterparts.
• 🔄 Despite potential pitfalls, the Finnish government under female leadership has been praised for its early and effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 💪 The 'Finnish Five' coalition emphasizes the importance of care, inclusion, and solidarity, aiming to change traditional exclusionary structures.
• 🤝 Women in leadership often have to work through differences and conflicts, demonstrating perseverance and a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• 🌱 The script suggests that the qualities of care and compassion, traditionally associated with women, are effective in addressing global crises.
• 💰 Meggie Palmer's experience and her initiative, PepTalkHer, highlight the ongoing struggle for pay equity and the need for gender balance in leadership positions.
• 🏢 Research indicates that companies with women in leadership roles tend to have better performance and higher net profits.
• 🤔 The script challenges the notion that gender equality in leadership is solely a women's issue, emphasizing that it's a collective responsibility.
• 🌟 The success of female-led governments and companies underscores the potential for 'feminine leadership' to drive positive change in various sectors.

Q & A

What is the significance of Finland's new coalition government in terms of gender representation?

Finland's new coalition government is significant because it is notable for having all five leaders being women, with all but one under the age of 35 when they took power in December 2019. This highlights a progressive step towards gender equality in political leadership.

Who became Finland's youngest ever Prime Minister and at what age?

Sanna Marin became Finland's youngest ever Prime Minister at the age of 34.

How does Finland's history with women's rights reflect in its political leadership?

Finland has a record of leading when it comes to women's rights, being the first country in the world to give full voting rights to women and being accustomed to females in positions of power.

What challenges do the women leaders in Finland's government face in terms of gender prejudice?

The women leaders face challenges such as being judged on the basis of prejudice linked to their gender, which can lead to harsher judgments and expectations compared to their male counterparts.

How has Finland's government been recognized for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic?

Finland won praise for its early handling of the coronavirus pandemic, like some other female-led countries, showcasing effective leadership during a global crisis.

What is the ambitious equality programme that the Finnish government is pushing?

The government is pushing an ambitious equality programme that gives greater rights to trans people, encourages parents to share caring responsibilities, and aims to close the gender pay gap.

What leadership qualities are traditionally associated with women and how have they been successful in tackling global crises?

Leadership qualities traditionally associated with women, such as caring for others and working together, have proven successful in tackling global crises by promoting inclusive and caring leadership.

What is the mission of Meggie Palmer's organization, PepTalkHer?

PepTalkHer's mission is to coach women on getting fair pay and to push for gender balance in senior positions, aiming to end the pay gap and help women become the leaders they want to be.

What personal experience of Meggie Palmer highlights the gender pay gap issue?

Meggie Palmer experienced pay inequality in her career, where she found out she was being paid less than her male colleagues with different terms and conditions of employment.

How does Meggie Palmer suggest individuals can contribute to improving gender equality in the workplace?

Meggie Palmer suggests that everyone, at whatever level, should ask questions that lead to more equality in the workplace, such as ensuring diverse candidate interviews during hiring and inquiring about diversity policies during job interviews.

What impact does having women in leadership roles have on businesses according to research?

Research shows that companies with women in leadership roles perform better, with women-led start-ups returning higher investment returns and larger businesses with women in the C-suite seeing an increase in net profit.