Women leaders urged to harness innate qualities to succeed
THE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Vodafone Ghana, Patricia Obo-Nai, has advised women to harness their innate qualities to succeed in leadership.
Advertisement
She said women were endowed with qualities such as the ability to multitask, cognitive empathy, guts, and intuition which were vital tools in leadership roles.
Mrs Obo-Nai was sharing invaluable insights with attendees at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology’s (KNUST) Digital GenderSmart Event in Kumasi.
Drawing parallels between the home and the workplace, she said women's cognitive empathy, often used to mediate conflicts among children, can be an instrumental tool in the corporate sphere, fostering a harmonious and productive environment.
“The qualities of guts and intuition make women natural risk-takers, enabling them to demonstrate courage in making certain tough decisions,” she said.
The CEO underscored the significance of education in leadership and urged students to embrace diverse learning experiences, either through internships or on-the-job training.
Within your work environment, explore rotational opportunities. You learn a lot when you open up to other people’s functions.
Formal education is equally important; you can learn on the job, acquire knowledge on the job, or consider taking relevant courses to equip yourself for the leadership role you desire," she advised.
Referencing Vodafone's ‘One More Skill’ initiative, Mrs Obo-Nai highlighted the company's commitment to fostering continuous learning, revealing that under this programme, all employees are encouraged to undertake at least one course annually.
On the topic of advancing in leadership roles, she emphasised the importance of a harmonious balance between professional and personal commitments.
“Cultivate a support network, manage your time effectively, and always prioritise your family," she said.
She further asked women to anticipate potential biases and misconceptions they might face in leadership roles.
“Equip yourself with knowledge and surround yourself with a robust support system. That is your best defence," she affirmed.