Yesterday the first day of the Rise &Lead Women Summit took place in the WTC The Hague. This two-day event for women leaders will discuss how we can bridge the gender gap in the Netherlands by promoting the financial inclusion and leadership development of women in business.
Ebere Akadiri, founder of Rise &Lead:“The ecosystem is still unequal and unfavorable for women in the Netherlands. To drive prosperity and stable businesses, we need to ensure that companies and policy makers develop ways to maximize female involvement and leadership in the labor market.”
What does a female leader look like? According to Rise &Lead, the epitome of a woman at the top is a visionary. She challenges the status quo and wants to lead. She uses her voice and position to influence positive change. She is aware of her behavior and actions. She knows she has a gift to share with the world. Tired of the darkness, she wants to sit down with key decision-makers. She sees an urgent need to create wealth and leave legacies behind. Most women are too afraid to get up and act, go and stand for what they really want.
“Influencing change with a positive mindset has beneficial outcomes. This applies to both men and women; people with a strong promotion focus are motivated by what they have to gain, while people with a retention focus are driven by what they could lose. It is therefore very important to know yourself well, to believe in your abilities and to propagate this; for if you do not do this yourself, who will believe in you?” says Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen, Chairman of the Executive Board of Aon Holdings.
Tips:characteristics of women in top positions
* Never apologize for your ambitions.
* Be bold in setting a long-term vision for your personal and professional growth.
* Make your voice heard; ask for what you want and negotiate what you earn.
* Look at other women in high positions and use them as role models. You cannot be what you cannot see.
* Organizations can create equal opportunities by eliminating judgment and discrimination based on gender. Be transparent about promotion criteria.
