Gender Dimensions in Leadership: Reflections, perceptions and perspectives on inclusivity - for executives and coaches

As ironic as it may seem, treating people kindly, fairly and humanely could just be the most innovative and competitive thing corporate leaders can do. Research links gender equality and a sense of belonging to thriving workplaces and better business outcomes. Leaders are critical to the success of DE&I. But much of the current rhetoric around ‘fixing’ women and blaming men, is failing everyone. Providing a GPS for everyone navigating gender bias and non-inclusivity in the workplace, this book has been designed to educate corporate leaders and coaches about the roadblocks to progress. It’s also been designed to help DE&I and HR within organizations. Each chapter takes a deep dive into specific issues, business case studies, and ends with key self-reflective coaching questions. “The Covid pandemic has been a brutal stress-test of leadership, ... Broadening the leadership debate to bring in crucial issues of power, purpose and ethnic diversity as well as gender, Sarah Drijfhout's timely intervention ranks as an essential guide for leaders to an unfolding post-covid, post-#MeToo, post-BLM world.” Global Peter Drucker Forum, former Observer’s Management Columnist “A must read for Investors, Boards, CEOs and all managerial personnel in the workplace.” Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry “… a deep dive into underlying cultural and psychological barriers to equality in leadership.” ICD International Business School, ParisWhen organizations ask us to only coach their women for leadership roles, they are on the wrong track. Policies which target women in isolation miss the point of equality and inclusion. Much of the gender inequality rhetoric has been focused on white women. This has been to the exclusion of others: women of color, men as distinct individuals, instead of a monolithic group, and other minorities. Denial around institutional and social issues across gender is leading to poor outcomes in many corporate entities. And while white men mostly have the power and influence in corporate leadership, better attempts should be made at properly engaging them, and everyone, in the gender equality discussion. “This book takes a conversation that can be uncomfortable for most male leaders to have and makes it easy for them to become part of that conversation, while helping their organizations become stronger in the process.” Centre for Executive Coaching“Sarah Drijfhout insightfully explores the reality that men lose too when they lead in the absence of women peers.” Inclusion Leader, OhioIf you want to lead and coach in an outstanding way, you need to understand the gender dimensions in leadership. This book will dispel many of the myths around gender and help you understand how perceived gender norms impact everyone’s ability to show up authentically and productively. If you are a leader looking to develop once described as ‘softer skills’, now regarded as essential skills for corporate leaders, this book educates you on why gender plays a huge role in that, and why you need to understand that role.Reviewing the most up-to-date research, using real-world data, based on dozens of interviews with global corporate leaders, Gender Dimensions in Leadership is an excellent resource for accelerating your inclusivity goals as a leader. It gives you the support you need to solve the gender-equity-in-leadership challenge. It’s a hugely comprehensive review of material on the topics of gender and leadership, and includes many scientific studies, leading academics’ and thought leaders’ observations, business practitioners’ experiences and global consultancy survey data. A must-have resource for leaders!