Best Practices For Female LeadersSample

 Rarely (If Ever) Play Cards 

There are so many cards. There’s the gender card, the God card, the mom card, the hormone card, the husband card, the “I’m more emotional” card, the victim card, the fear card, the theology card, the cramps card, and so on. They are so handy. Who can argue with them, right? Your kids need you. God told you. Your husband asked for it. 

The problem with playing cards, however, is that they always backfire. If you play the “I’m more emotional” card because you responded disrespectfully in a meeting, you shouldn’t then expect your leaders to give you high-profile assignments because you’ve shown them you can’t be trusted to control your emotions. 

If you are leading well, you know the responsibilities and priorities that you need to cover. If you need to set a boundary, then set a boundary. Don’t try to explain why you need to leave, why you can’t take on something extra, or blame something outside of yourself. They only discredit your ability to meet your responsibilities. 

Leaders don’t play cards. We lead well and we exercise “agency,” which is the capacity to act independently and make our own choices. Granted, if your bosses want an explanation, certainly give it to them. And indeed, our personal lives affect what we do and the decision we make. But too often women lead with excuses, rather than just leading.