The extended nature of the COVID-19 crisis has given many people an abundance of time to think about the responses of countries and companies–the actions taken (and not taken), and to analyze leaders from every angle.
Women at the Helm
These past few months, women’s leadership has been both celebrated (e.g. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany) and questioned (Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who implemented some of the toughest coronavirus lockdown rules in the United States). Are females better leaders in a crisis? Does it matter?
On a Zoom discussion hosted by the Women’s Impact Fund this month, a group of smart, successful women talked about the qualities of the female leaders at center stage. Their consensus: these women are expert, measured, collaborative, and calm under pressure. These women also demonstrate empathy and caring for people.
Statistically, there appears to be no difference in population death rates between male and female leaders of countries or states [Forbes: Are Female Leaders Statistically Better at Handling the Coronavirus Crisis?]. Yet there are many examples of women managing the COVID response with greater aplomb and impact.
Nationally, you can’t ignore Ambassador-at-Large Deborah Birx, M.D. Look beyond the scarves to the calm, confident expertise she demonstrates day after day, week after week.
In North Carolina, the state Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Mandy Cohen, and Mecklenburg County Public Health Director Gibbie Harris have steadfastly looked after the interests of a state of more than 10 million people, and also its largest urban area. Neither is afraid to think broadly and decisively, even when their positions may be unpopular.
Some Women’s Impact Fund Zoom participants called for more women to be empowered and encouraged to run for public office. Yes. And there are also other leadership opportunities in the chaos we are experiencing. It is up to women to seize them –leading with expertise and influence as well as their ability to leverage empathy and collaboration to solve problems.
Women are well-suited to lead through crises, but the U.S. is behind other nations in culturally embracing and enabling women. In elected office, the U.S. ranks 76th out of 193 countries when it comes to women serving on the national level, and women make up 28.7 percent of more nearly 7,400 state legislators [VOA News: Here’s How Women Leaders Govern Differently]. In corporate America, there are just 33 female CEOs among the 500 largest U.S. companies [FORTUNE: The Number of Female CEOs in the Fortune 500 hits an All-Time Record].
Resilience During Crisis
When considering leadership during crisis, I think of the calm, reasoned approach of my friend and former colleague Valerie Franco. For several years, Valerie and I led a cross-functional team that prepared for, practiced, and managed a number of crises for a Fortune®50 company.
First, we gathered the right people in the room; a mix of talented women and men who worked together and were not afraid to dig deep into the situation and make a tough call when needed. The variety of perspectives was key to seeing the crisis from different angles and land the response strategy. Diverse views matter in business and certainly in a crisis.
Valerie attributes successes in part to resilience—the ability not only to weather a storm and bounce back, but to come back stronger having learned from the difficulty.
If we study accounts from Vietnam War P.O.W. James Stockdale, we recognize the resilience paradox of realistic optimism. People in crisis situations have a better chance of survival if they remain both optimistic that one day it will end, and realistic about when and how. It’s the idea “yes I’m in a difficult spot, but I will prevail.”
When we are in a difficult struggle, whether being without a job, in an economic downturn, or coping with illness, we have the highest resilience when we are able to hold optimism in one hand and realistic expectations in the other. Regardless of gender, this axiom holds true.
It’s Time to Shine
The opportunity to celebrate and appreciate female leaders is a silver lining in this endless rain cloud of COVID. It is not about women doing better than men. Men are our peers, mentors, advocates and partners. The point is to shine a light on the amazing contributions of women in leadership roles, and on the front lines of medicine, research, business and communities; and to encourage women to confidently step into those roles, knowing that they are equipped for success.