05/07/2020
• 3 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT WOMEN’S INABILITY TO BUILD BUSINESSES •
All too often I hear numerous reasons as to why a woman can’t run a successful business, or be able to run a business at all. Everything from ‘lack of ambition’ to being branded as ‘too emotional’. I wanted to knock down some of these myths to help women realise their potential and achieve real growth.
Myth 1 - Having Children Slows Down Female Leaders
This is the number myth in my experience to be busted! What having children does for a woman is make her more determined! Having children does not slow you down, having children simply changes the way you work and how you manage your time. If it wasn’t for my children, yes I would have so much for time, but guess I would not be affectively using that time to do business! I would not be a fraction as motivated as I am today because of them. They inspire me to be a leader, to grow, to be empathetic and to find courage I did not have before they came along.
Jessica Bruce, found of Run 3D (a gait analysis system that helps people to walk faster following surgery) and mother of 2 who won government funding to build her technology states that “Successful entrepreneurs with children are determined, efficient and hard-working, doing whatever it takes to be both excellent mums and great leaders simultaneously”.
Myth 2 - Female Entrepreneurs Lack Confidence to Lead or Negotiate
Contrary to this belief, research by Norwegian professors Oyvind L. Martin Sean who heads up Leadership and Organisational Behaviour at the BI Norwegian Business School found that, of 3000 managers studied, female leaders outperformed their male counterparts in the majority of areas.
Women are more often better than men at finding reasons to collaborate and compromise, this is a massive strength! Women are also more likely to maintain relationships better, which tends to achieve better long term results! So ladies, recognise you have some massive strengths and use them to achieve your goals! You don’t need to be aggressive and cut throat in order to be successful!
Myth 3 - Women Are Too Emotional About Business
Guess what ladies? Being emotional is a strength! Yes you heard me! Being emotional is a strength that leaders require in order to be successful! Understanding emotions increase your Emotional IQ - also known as EQ. It is one of the most important attributes needed in order to be successful in business. The ability to tap into your emotions and those of your customers, partners etc is vital for building a successful business and an outstanding team. ”Emotions can inspire creativity, growth and self-awareness”. Don’t ever be afraid to embrace what you have to grow your businesses.
So lets use your strength to build some businesses ladies!!