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Are Women Better Leaders?

A Study in Leadership: Women Do It Better Than Men

  “It is a well-known fact that women are underpresented at senior levels of management and the leadership styles largely vary between men and women. A research analysis conducted by Dr Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman, 7,280 leaders revealed the truth about men and women leaders in the workplace. The dataset came from the most successful and progressive organisations in the world for both in public & private sectors. These datas are based on the 16 competencies of the Extraordinary Leader Assessment and derived from 360 evaluations of each leader leadership effectiveness, feedback of their leaders, peers, bosses and direct reports. A few findings are:
  • 64% are still men
  • The higher the level, the more men there are
  • 78% of top managers were men, 67% at the level below
  These data are based on the 16 competencies of the Extraordinary Leader Assessment and derived from 360 evaluations of each leader leadership effectiveness, feedback of their leaders, peers, bosses and direct reports. Although there were more males in the study, the results are rather clear and quite shocking. Women were rated higher in 12 out of 16 competencies. The higher the level, the wider that gap grows. (Image Credit: Zenger Folkman)  Men outscored women marginally on one management competence in this survey – the ability to develop a strategic perspective. Women have an advantage in important areas of interpersonal such as communications and people relationship. The research study by Zenger and Folkman seemed to demonstrate strongly that women are seen as better leaders than men by those around them. There are also other studies indicating that companies that have a higher representation of women in management ranks are more profitable and have higher employee productivity. So, what does this mean for women in the workplace? The research findings are quite telling, and the data suggests that by including more competent women leaders the overall effectiveness of the team would go up. “Organizations go outside to recruit effective leaders when in many cases they may well have internal people who could rise to fill the position that is vacant.” Joe Folkman added. 
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Are we psychologically and mentally prepared to cope with the COVID-19?

China is grappling with an outbreak of infections from a new coronavirus that emerged in December. Hubei province, ground zero of the novel coronavirus outbreak reported a record spike in deaths on Thursday. This is the largest single-day rise since the epidemic began. 

 

Health officials in China has reported more than 14,840 new cases in Hebei Province alone, bringing the province a total to 48,206. This brings the total number to more than 1,300 people globally, as experts warned the epidemic could “create havoc” in less prepared countries.

 

The death toll in Hubei rose by 242 to 1,363 now.  

  (Image Credit: Caixing Global, Compiled by Guo Ying Zhe) 

There are growing concern over the well-being of healthcare workers or the frontline as the number of the infection rises above 130,000. Many people are mentally affected by the epidemic to talk to psychologists or psychiatrists.

 

What can we do and how can we take responsibility?

Apart from wearing a mask in crowded places, washing your hands or using hand sanitiser, what can we do to stay healthy and calm? Especially so in the midst of a coronavirus outbreak?

 
  • SUPPLEMENT, SLEEP WELL AND MAINTAIN GOOD HYGIENE

Clinical Dietitian Joyce with 10 years of working experience in the healthcare line. She provides nutrition counselling to clients with chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease as well as conduct talks on healthy eating.

 

The best supplements should do is to supplement the diet. If your lifestyle or priorities make it hard for you to get all the nutrition you need through foods, supplementation may help. Taking vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc can also help to decrease the risk of catching viruses. It can significantly decrease the severity of it if you do. 

 

Ensure you get enough sleep as it critical for the healing rejuvenation of your body. If the body is in a constant state of stress it can inhibit some of the immune functions. 

 
  • STAY FIT, KEEP MOVING

Viruses tend to affect people who are weaker. If you are fit and training, your body is stronger and better able to fight a virus.

 

International Marathon Runner and Coaching Fitness Liew Wei Yong urges client to adopt discipline and consistency when it comes to training and fitness. No matter how busy they are. Liew Wei Yong, guest speaker in Stress Management Certification offer advice on critical topics like cross-training, rest days, nutrition, hydration and monitoring vital signs like heart rate.

 
  • ACKNOWLEDGE FEAR, DON’T PANIC! 

After Singapore Authorities raised DORSCONS level to Orange, many flocked to supermarkets, wiping out basic supplies. Shelves are starting to go empty, people are just climbing on ladders to grab whatever they can.

  Image Credit: TODAY Online

Rather, seeing everyone wearing a mask can lead to stress and anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, or unease. It can be a reaction to stress, or it can occur in people who are unable to identify significant stressors in their life.

 

As a result, people who have stress and anxiety over long periods of time may experience negative related health outcomes. If you feel like your stress and anxiety are becoming unmanageable, seek professional help.

Similarly, we also recommend you to join us in our stress management workshops/certifications to help you to manage stress and find the support you need. 

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Top 3 Best and Worst Critiques Ever Receive From A Boss

Leaders have a tremendous influence on their direct reports, and one of the key critical areas every successful leader should know is being able to give both redirecting and reinforcing feedback. 

 

Clearly, all feedback – and especially negative feedback, when handled appropriately, is critical to success. However, delivery is vital (as every marriage partner can surely attest!) Directness is welcome, but personal attacks, temper, bullying, and belittling is never successful, even (and especially) when under the guise of “for your own good.”

When your motive is to help people improve, the way you deliver the critical message is key.

Top 3 Worst Critiques

1. It’s obvious from your question that you don’t understand anything about this issue!

This boss is straight to judge before finding out the root of issues. Most people hearing this feedback will immediately want to prove that they are not totally ignorant. In actual fact, asking questions is an excellent way to learn.

2. You always or never ____________!

Once again this is a clear overestimate. While the person giving the critique is trying hard to get you to understand the importance of the issue, rather than accepting the feedback, the recipient will most often expend their energy in proving that the “always” or “never” is not true.

3. Look, I am your boss, just do what I say and you will be fine!

This is like giving a credit card to a teenager and saying, “don’t spend too much.” No one else can (or should) presume they are able to manage your career for you.

Top 3 Best Critiques

1. Help me to understand.  

Rather than assuming, ask people why they acted in a particular way. Let the receiver knows that you try your best to understand the situation in every way you can.

2. I realize you have a lot on your plate, but this needs to be your number one priority.

Helping people to prioritize is a critical skill to get your message across without being too bossy.

3. I noticed your efforts to do ___________.

That’s a good start, but you did not hit the target yet. Instead of telling people they failed, is a very good start to let your employees know that they need to work harder.

In summary, feedback is vital. Critical feedback, in particular, is both necessary and appropriate. When your motive is to help people improve, however, the way you deliver the critical message is key.

Elevating Feedback – leadership workshop is a practical and insightful 1-day workshop that will help you to communicate at a deeper level in conversations, providing tips techniques to deliver better outcomes when giving both redirecting and reinforcing feedback. You will be introduced to a framework for structuring your conversations and discover what is at stake for both parties.

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