”Do you see yourself fitting into the typical stereotypes of success within the company?”

 

This is one of the questions asked by Bain & Company in a study that asked more than 1,000 men and women in a mix of U.S. companies.

 

One woman recounted her firm’s recent management retreat: “Watching middle-aged white male after middle-age white male tell their war stories of sacrificing everything to close the sale was demoralizing, I just kept sinking lower in my chair and thinking that I would never be able to make it to the senior ranks if this was what it took.”

 

I vividly remember reading the HBR article on their study in 2015 and unfortunately in 2022 it still rings true in so many ways.

 

Most of the women we work with don’t recognize themselves in – nor do they aspire to become like – the stereotypes of success, power, influence, leadership out there.

 

Sadly many of them had moments where they thought that they were simply not leadership material, and some even left their organisation in the hope of making a difference elsewhere.

 

That’s before they met the us!

 

The good news is you do not have to fit the stereotypes.

 

You can make up your very own leadership model and inspiration based on what’s important to YOU!

 

Create your own story!

 

Lead from a solid foundation made up of mental fitness, your zone of genius (where your competence meets your confidence), your values and a tribe of like minded women. We call it Gentle Ambition at Azkua.

 

Our organisations and planet are calling out for a new kind of leadership.

 

Leadership that’s based on trust, psychological safety, interdependence, collaboration and results.

 

What’s your view on this? Fit or Ditch the Stereotypes? 

 

Let us know at contact@azkua.eu.

 

To your kind of success,

 

Manuela Damant
Azkua

 

At Azkua we are on a mission to turn businesses and organisations into a force for good. And we believe that it is professional women like YOU, who will be at the forefront of this transformation. Purpose driven, caring, grounded and influential women.

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