Greetings readers.  Inflexion’s recent post about Robin Wolaner’s book, Naked in the Boardroom, reminded me that there are not only differences in the way that men and women lead, but that there are some differences in the way that men and women learn to lead.  Using Wolaner’s metaphor, let’s think of this as Naked in the Leadership Classroom—a look at preferred learning behaviors, based on gender, used in ANY type of learning experience.

While it is somewhat complicated to understand how one learns to lead (because it is measured by personal, tacit and subconscious acts), identifying gender differences may enrich talent management initiatives and leadership development programs.  Currently, there is not much information about the differences in gender-based leadership learning preferences.  If more was known, it would be possible to address gender differences more intelligently.

I recently conducted a study of aspiring leaders, males and females, and asked them which leadership learning behaviors were used most frequently.  Of the thirty behaviors offered, nineteen showed no differences between males and females.  However, there were eleven behaviors which were selected by females as being highly important in their leadership development.  These include:

1. Learning about leadership from a mentor.
2. Performing self-directed leadership development activities.
3. Contemplating what is expected of a leader by planning how leadership concepts, decision making processes and strategies can be used.
4. Using new language, new strategies, and new ideas to solve problems, mediate conflict, manage change or connect leadership theory to generalized situations.

While this study was not large enough to generalize from, these four leadership learning behaviors describe an approach used by females that ranges from self-reliance to co-dependence on a trusted confidant, and from deep thinking about strategizing/decision making to saying what you mean precisely.   Peeling the onion on leadership learning differences by gender holds promise for creating bias-free pathways for leadership development…all the way to the boardroom. 

Let’s keep the conversation going.

Did we mention she has a PhD?  Any questions for “Dr. Shannon” can be emailed to shannon.flumerfelt@inflexionadvisors.com.

 

Robin has had a fascinating and somewhat unconventional career by any measure.  She began as a copywriter for Penthouse, helped Runner’s World with its national launch, and eventually founded Parenting Magazine through a JV with Time Inc.  Her pre-launch negotiations with Time are memorialized in an HBS Case that has been studied by over 10,000 MBA students.    

The introduction rightly sets the tone, with Robin stating that, “The lessons I learned in business all point to one broad truth: Success follows when you use what you’ve got. You will succeed because of, not in spite of, your personal traits. The trick is to make your aptitude and flair work for you in a style that is uniquely yours.”  

Robin then offers 80 “Naked Truths” to aid others in learning from the good, bad and ugly of her experiences, ranging from:

• “Sometimes it’s better to be female in business, sometimes it’s worse, but it’s rarely the same.” (#1)
• “Viva la difference. When being a female is an advantage, use it.” (#5)
• “You can learn, and benefit, from others’ ethical lapses.” (#30)
• “Return phone calls and emails.” (#59)

What did Tom Peters think?

“It is by far (assuming I know the turf, which I think I pretty much do) the best book on strategy and tactics for women aiming to make it big in business—big biz or entrepreneurial biz. Moreover, I think any male—myself included, at age 63—can learn an enormous amount from this book.”

So you’re probably wondering why a guy in his late 30s would go on and on about a book for women in business.  Here’s why – I had the pleasure of meeting Robin for lunch in New York (her hometown is San Fran) a little over a month ago.  We discussed her new venture, TeeBeeDee, an online community for those in the middle of life’s adventures.  More importantly, I had an opportunity to listen and watch, to hear the passion in her voice and plans for the future, to see an experienced executive apply her gut instincts while admitting that she didn’t know all the answers.  It was very refreshing and reminded me that sometimes we need to stop aspiring to be the people others want us to be and fully embrace who we are, warts and all.

So pick up a copy if you’re so inclined and let’s keep the conversation (and enlightenment) going.