Examining the Power of Transparent Leadership & Gender Intelligence, Mars Venus Podcast EP 207
In this inspiring episode of “Examining the Power of Transparent Leadership & Gender Intelligence,” host Rich Bernstein and Sheri Winesett, Chief Operating Officer of John Mattone Global, delve into the transformative power of transparent leadership. Winesett unveils seven fundamental principles of effective leadership, including self-awareness, accountability, congruency, and integrity, drawing from her book “Transparent Leadership.” The discussion explores how aligning actions with values fosters trust and respect within teams, making transparent leadership a practical strategy for setting others up for success. This episode offers invaluable insights for women in business, executives, emerging leaders, and entrepreneurs, demonstrating how embracing these principles can revolutionize leadership practices and drive organizational success.
The Unique Leadership Traits of Women
One of the pivotal elements that Sheri discusses is the recognition that women bring a unique set of skills to leadership roles. Women often wear multiple hats, balancing professional responsibilities with personal roles. This multifaceted experience enables them to approach leadership holistically, considering various aspects and impacts of their decisions. Studies, such as research from Harvard Business School, suggest that companies with more women in executive positions tend to perform better in the long term. This could be attributed to their ability to look at the big picture, align disparate elements, and create a cohesive strategy.
Gender Intelligence highlights differences in how men and women think due to biological and neurological variations. The corpus callosum, which connects the brain’s left (logical) and right (emotional) hemispheres, is significantly larger in women. This enables women to integrate logic and intuition seamlessly, which enhances their problem-solving capabilities and empathetic listening skills. In leadership, this means women can balance immediate concerns with long-term goals, all while maintaining strong interpersonal relationships.
Embracing Feminine Leadership Qualities
Leadership often demands a balance of various traits, and some may argue that success necessitates adopting traditionally ‘masculine’ qualities such as assertiveness and decisiveness. However, Sheri advocates for the power of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership. Women can be brave, bold, and confident while being soft, leading with their hearts, and staying true to their compassionate nature. This duality is not a weakness but a strength, allowing for a more balanced and human-centric approach to leadership.
Sheri and Richard contest the notion that women need to adopt masculine traits to succeed. While some women feel pressured to suppress their natural leadership style in favor of a more traditionally ‘masculine’ approach, this often leads to imbalance both professionally and personally. For instance, a female CEO who adopts a nurturing and empathetic leadership style can elevate her team’s performance and engagement. This approach was exemplified by a female CEO on the Las Vegas Strip Bernstein coached, who saw a significant increase in her company’s profitability after adopting a more nurturing style.
Sheri’s book identifies Seven Keys to Transparent Leadership.
Transparent leadership is a concept that emphasizes the importance of openness, clarity, and integrity in guiding teams and organizations. Sheri Winesett has dedicated much of her career to promoting this leadership style. Drawing from her business and executive coaching background, “Transparent Leadership,” which targets women in business, executives, emerging leaders, and entrepreneurs, aims to provide them with strategies to embrace their roles and lead effectively.
Example of three:
Self-Awareness and Accountability: Transparent leadership starts with self-awareness. Leaders must understand their strengths, weaknesses, triggers, and emotional management strategies. Accountability is equally crucial, fostering trust and respect among team members.
Congruency and Integrity: Congruency involves aligning one’s actions with one’s values and beliefs. Leading with integrity means being honest and ethical and valuing transparency over convenience. This builds a strong foundation for trust within the organization.
Team Alignment and Measurement: Effective leaders ensure their teams are aligned with the organizational goals and values. They also recognize the importance of measurement and assessment to track progress, make informed decisions, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.
Sheri emphasizes that these keys are theoretical concepts and practical strategies that can help leaders become the best versions of themselves. When leaders focus on setting others up for success, their success naturally follows. By embracing the unique qualities that women bring to leadership roles and applying the principles of transparent leadership, organizations can create more effective, empathetic, and sustainable leadership practices.
Physiology and Leadership
Understanding the physiological differences in managing stress between genders is crucial in creating environments that promote health and well-being. For instance, Bernstein explains that men reduce cortisol levels—the stress hormone—by producing testosterone through problem-solving and achieving goals. Conversely, women produce oxytocin, which lowers cortisol levels, through bonding, nurturing, and connecting. Recognizing these differences allows for the creation of work environments that support the natural ways men and women reduce stress.
For female leaders, it is essential to incorporate practices that boost oxytocin. Activities such as taking a break for a relaxing bath, engaging in thoughtful conversation, or enjoying leisure activities can help reduce stress and maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal life. By prioritizing self-care and relaxation, women can ensure they are in the best possible state to lead effectively.
Reflecting on one’s actions and decisions is another cornerstone of effective leadership. Taking the time for self-reflection helps leaders understand their triggers and emotional responses, allowing them to manage situations more effectively. This practice contributes to personal growth and enhances one’s ability to lead with greater compassion and insight.
Authentic Leadership in Corporate Settings
Navigating corporate environments often requires balancing one’s authentic self with the expectations of leadership roles. Women may feel pressured to mimic the leadership styles of their predecessors, mainly if those individuals exhibited traditionally masculine traits. However, maintaining authenticity and leading with personal strengths creates a more genuine and effective leadership style. Encouraging self-reflection allows women to break free from these conditioned responses and lead in ways that resonate with their true selves.
Another vital aspect is shifting the focus from merely ‘putting out fires’ to proactive problem-solving. This mindset reduces stress and fosters a more positive, forward-thinking environment. Instead of being overwhelmed by immediate challenges, leaders can approach issues with a solutions-oriented mindset, alleviating stress and inspiring and motivating the team.
By integrating these principles and approaches, women in leadership can create more balanced, effective, and nurturing environments that support personal well-being and organizational success.
Mentorship and Role Models
Another critical aspect of this pillar is finding a mentor who embodies the qualities and characteristics you aspire to. Seeking mentorship can be challenging for many, but it is crucial to personal and professional development. It’s important to remember that mentorship doesn’t necessarily have to come from your direct superior. You can find mentors in individuals who inspire you, even if you’ve never met them personally.
For instance, Sheri and Rich speak about their admiration for Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo. Despite never having met her, they both learned a great deal from observing Nooyi’s approach to leadership, vision, communication style, and ability to balance professional success with personal life. This highlights that mentorship can also be about silently learning from the actions and principles of those we regard highly.
One recurrent theme in leadership is the importance of vision. Leaders’ common struggle is getting their teams to buy into the vision. As Ann Hofferberth mentions, the issue often isn’t that the vision could be more convincing but that the team may not be fully invested in the leaders themselves. For a vision to be compelling, leaders must cultivate trust and respect within their team. Sheri notes that this extends beyond employees to customers; if the team doesn’t buy into the vision, neither will the customers.
The Power of Storytelling
An anecdote shared by Rich Bernstein reveals the profound impact of personal storytelling. At a Mars Venus coach conference, a speaker on Marketing shared his life story at a global conference, moving the audience deeply. His ability to connect on an emotional level transformed the way attendees viewed marketing. Instead of focusing solely on tactics and strategies, he emphasized that marketing is fundamentally about sharing compelling stories that resonate with people.
This approach is equally applicable to leadership. Leaders who share their personal stories and struggles foster a deeper connection with their teams. Employees will be more inspired by a leader who is open about their journey and the lessons learned. This creates a relatable and trusting environment where people feel valued and understood.
Leading with a vision also requires the flexibility to adapt and grow. Transparent leaders encourage continuous learning and are open to developing strategies based on feedback and changing circumstances. This mindset ensures that the vision remains relevant and achievable, fostering an environment of innovation and growth.
The Power of Gender Intelligence
John Gray coined gender intelligence as an indispensable tool in the arsenal of transparent leadership. Recognizing and valuing the unique qualities that men and women bring to the table can create a more harmonious and effective leadership style. When leaders align with their feminine energy—whether they are men or women—they bring a level of empathy, intuition, and collaboration that is often missing from traditional leadership models.
One of the key takeaways from Sheri Winesett’s book, “ Transparent Leadership” is the importance of empowerment. Leaders must instill confidence in their teams, ensuring they are enough, even when life feels overwhelming. This sense of self-assurance is crucial, especially when individuals often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities.
Life and leadership are cyclical, marked by different seasons and times. A transparent leader acknowledges that challenges and hardships are temporary and that these periods can be navigated with resilience and optimism. By embracing this mindset, leaders can inspire their teams to persevere and remain focused on the long-term vision.
Rich recommends one of John Gray’s books, highlighting the importance of gender intelligence and diversity. “Work with me” The 8 Blind Spots Between Men and Women in Business by Barbara Annis and John Gray. This book provides valuable insights into gender dynamics in the workplace and offers practical advice for fostering a more inclusive and effective work environment.
You might also want to read Intelligent Leadership by John Mattone. It is written for leaders who wish to become more effective, strategic, operationally focused, and balanced. It is for leaders striving to take control of their destiny and become the best they can be.
Implementing these principles of Transparent Leaders, Gender Intelligence, and Intelligent Leadership can vastly improve a leader’s effectiveness. These principles include exercising self-awareness, seeking and providing mentorship, embracing authentic leadership and leveraging storytelling to inspire and motivate. By focusing on these areas, leaders can create productive environments that are nurturing and aligned with their personal and organizational values.
Both Rich and Sheri want leaders to become the best version of themselves. Focusing on setting others up for success will ultimately lead to their success.
QUICK Links
Sheris Website: https://sheriwinesett.com/home
Book: https://amzn.to/3TgQeLB
John Mattone Website: https://johnmattone.com/
Book: https://amzn.to/3SOOSaz
Rich Bernstein: https://marsvenuscoaching.com/
John Gray: https://www.marsvenus.com/john-gray/
Book: https://amzn.to/4cxx4b1
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