WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP

BY HANNAH MURIITHI

WHAT IS LEADERSHIP?

There is no consistent, overall definition of leadership. Varied definitions have been given to this word.

The Oxford Dictionary gives it the following meaning; 

The ability to lead; the ability to guide,

direct, or influence people.

Under this definition, every man, woman, child in Kenya, is a leader in his/her own right.

WOMEN AND LEADERSHIP The reality is that women in top positions

have to work hard to convince the world that they are capable of handling any assignments they are given.

women in positions of responsibility have a tall order as they have to work doubly hard to convince others that they are up to task.

This does not however denote, abrasiveness or overdoing things to be recognized.

women in positions of power should not frustrate men working under them. On the contrary they should recognize all the team members’ abilities and urge them on.

CONT…. Women leaders must also reconcile their other

duties , such as their marital and parental roles with their official duties. This is sometimes an onerous task. For anyone, not just women.

In Kenya, women in positions of power are grossly under-represented. Kenyan women deserve to be involved in more decision making roles. This is notion is not about feminism but a principle anchored in the tenants of democracy. What is the role you and I need to take, in order to achieve this?

Women need to challenge themselves to play a greater role in the development of society. In addition Women, should never keep their distance in political matters. They need to get INVOLVED!

THE GLASS CEILING- REALITY OR MYTH? The Glass ceiling is an invisible barrier that

women encounter in various realms of life ( the workplace, politics etc)

The ceiling allows women to climb only so far up the ladder of success within an organizational or political situation. When they hit the ceiling, they cannot see further than they can actually go.

The problem is real. However over the years, people have been more mindful of the glass- ceiling problem and many have made progress in honoring the diverse strengths women bring to the table.

CONT…. NOTE HOWEVER there are very many

examples of women who have managed to break through the ceiling.

They NEVER waited for someone to rescue them! ( such as a new Constitution, policies on gender equity etc). They never used the glass ceiling to justify their conditions.

They knew that they could not wait for society to figure it out! They took the initiative.

A great trait a leader should possess- INITIATIVE and the ability to MOVE FORWARD despite numerous obstacles.

EXAMPLES OF WOMEN LEADERS WHO HAVE BLAZED THE TRAIL. Professor Leah Marangu.

The First Woman in East Africa to be named Full Professor.

The First woman to serve at the Helm of a University in Kenya when she was named Vice- Chancellor (President) of Africa Nazarene University on January 7th 1997.

She has served as Chair of Jomo Kenyatta University.

She has been honored with numerous International Awards including the Silver Star of Kenya, National Honor Presented by the President of Kenya and The Iowa State University Alumni Award

CONT… Professor Wangari Maathai the first African- Kenyan woman to receive

the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.”

Mrs. Charity Kaluki Ngilu Goes down in the books of History as the

first woman to contest for presidency in Kenya.

Lady Justice Joyce AluochFirst Kenyan Judge to be appointed to the International Criminal Court (ICC) January 2009.

CHALLENGES IN WOMEN LEADERSHIP Society’s perception has always

relegated leadership roles to men- we must, as a country strive for a level playing field on which every woman and man has an EQUAL opportunity to succeed.

Women have accepted the Norm! A woman-man leader has to defy the accepted norms- be stubborn, determined and not easily dissuaded by the various obstacles.

CONT… Balancing of different demanding ( mother,

wife, business person, corporate executive)roles can sometimes be daunting. Learning how to balance between one’s work life and social life.

Lack of role models who can help future generations of young women to gain confidence in themselves and their abilities – this is however changing.

Lack of support. Women cannot stand alone, we need the support of men who believe that their sisters, girlfriends, daughters and wives are equals.

CONT… Women failing to support each other.

Those who manage to make it on top tend to have gone through bitter struggles and hence feel that everyone should struggle for herself. This is a bad approach and needs to be broken. We need to support each other unreservedly.

WHAT ONE NEEDS AS A LEADER A good solid education. Never underestimate the

value of a good education. You must prepare yourself for the future you hope for- it is not made for you- you have to make that future.

Intelligence and wisdom. Combine humility with achievement.

Refined people skills. Learn how to deal and appreciate people. As a leader, people are your most appreciable asset.

Possess strength of character to help those behind her get ahead.

The ability to put the good of society ahead of her own ambition.

Good Intuition – trust in yourself. A team player. The leader says “we” instead of “I”.

CONT… Saying “yes” to being a role model, which ironically

encompasses a lot of “No’s”. A leader requires strong communication skills. To

transfer and constantly communicate with his or her followers.

A leader should not only care for the task at hand , or her team members but also herself.

A leader accepts the fact that she is not perfect. No one is. Learn to accept weakness and continuously learn from your mistake.

A leader always reacts positively no matter the situation. An Optimistic attitude pays.

A leader is allowed to get frustrated, but NEVER to quit. Be Resilient!

Be a person of integrity- we always have a choice to do right or wrong. Choose right.

POINTS TO PONDER ON LEADERSHIP. Leadership is a way of life. A leader is a servant. Leadership is not about power or

charisma. It is not social class or distinction. It is not about job experience, job position or education.

Valdez once said that “Leadership is something that transcends

age, class , social distinction, gender……even the shape of one’s eyes. Leadership is about influence….nothing more, nothing less.”

CONT… Therefore Leadership is the ability to

obtain followers. Everyone influences someone. What kind of “influencer” do you strive to be?

A leader is deemed great, not because of his or her power , but his or her ability to empower others.

A leader creates positive change. Change equals growth. Change tends to create fear of the unknown. A leader helps his/her followers transition into changes.

CONT.. A leader has vision and possess the

ability to see the big picture. This serves as a guide, beacon and guiding light to his/her followers “when there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29: 18) . All great leaders possess two things- they know where they are going and they know how to persuade others to follow.

The price tag of leadership is self discipline. Learn to reign over yourself. Plan, Organize, prioritize, practice good time management.

CONT…. Problem solving is the greatest way to

gain leadership. We all have problems. Problems give meaning to life. Great achievers refuse to hold on to the common excuses of failure. A leader has the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.

Great leaders understand that the right attitude will set the right atmosphere, which enables the right responses from others. Our attitudes are our most important asset.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your

sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain

CONCLUSION. Nelson Mandela during his inaugural speech quoted the

Prolific Writer Maryanne Williamson stating; “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

“It’s okay to let those you lead outshine you, for if they shine brightly enough,

they reflect positively on you”Billy Hornsby

“Leadership is about seeing opportunity in tough times”JACK WELCH

Take up the challenge! Develop the Leader in you. Be courageous and believe in yourself. Dream big. You are the future Leaders of this country and Kenya Needs you. The world needs you.

Medidate on the following words by Mark Twain

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you

didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream.

Discover.”

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your

frustrations, but about your unfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with

what it is still possible for you to do." Pope John Paul XXIII

THANK YOU !!!