Women and Leadership

Loved some of the points put fwd by Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of Acumen Fund in this interview (link given below)....especially the line about how women leaders have the opportunity to invent the culture of the workplace where you want to work and thrive. I've always thought that it's mostly women who are good at building organisations and culture.They have loads of practice in their households, in schools, in family communities, etc.......

Was struck by the point that in Rwanda men viewed the women entrepreneurs as prostitutes when they first started selling bread. (Interestingly prostitution is oft erroneously quoted as the earliest profession known to mankind.....is that why men instinctively revert to this association in their minds???). This is something we might not face in certain sectors where women have been a part of workforce for quite some time now. When I first started working in FMCG Sales there were many men who you had to deal with who were unfamiliar with the concept of women in sales. When I look back now, the immediate defense mechanism of appearing "male" or brusque was such a blunder on my part....that was taking the easy way out. You are busy trying to deny being a female in order to counter the subtle force of discomfort around you. That makes the poor men even more confused because here is a character they dont understand at all. If only I had the wisdom and empathy to realise that this was just a matter of having the patience to let the initial uneasiness peter out....and a bit of education for the males around me....After all men are taught first by their mothers, rt? ;)

Suddenly I was reminded of the rather cheesy line from Spiderman in this context..."With great power comes great responsibility. This is my gift, my curse.". DHISHKAO! (Damn Bollywood and Hollywood...my mind can never be serious for too long and leaps out like this juvenile comic book character)

Also liked the line on how accounting is a form of story telling (lol! We know abt the fantastic stories some accountants hv been weaving in Satyam)...

http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Organization/Talent/Women_and_leadership_Learning_from_the_social_sector_2336