The Truth about Men and Women: How They Rise Differently!
A Surprising Discovery About Gender and Leadership Success
My colleague Ron Monteiro had the honour of interviewing author Marshall Goldsmith on his podcast called Love Mondays. In the podcast, Goldsmith talks about leadership in a very frank and insightful way.
He aptly connects the dots between human behaviour and performance, which makes you think differently!
Two cool things to share with you about the podcast:
- I got mentioned! Head to 18:20 to listen.
- I learned something super interesting that I wanted to share with you today.
What Marshall Goldsmith Revealed About Male Leadership Patterns
So, what did Goldsmith say in this interview that I’d never considered before?
Well, he was talking about his book What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.
I’ve read it. I’ve recommended it.
It’s a fantastic resource about how the behaviours that once helped you succeed can become the very things that hold you back as you move into a leadership role.
But then he said, “After I wrote that book, I realized it was written for men.”
Wait…what?
Why Traditional Leadership Advice Works for Men
As Goldsmith explained this comment, it made perfect sense to me.
Many men rise in their careers by being assertive, competitive, and driven to win.
But once they hit leadership, those same traits can get in the way.
So, the book teaches them to do things like:
- Stop trying to win every conversation
- Listen more than you talk
- Share credit freely
All great lessons.
The Different Challenges Female Leaders Face
But here’s where it gets interesting.
Female leaders face the opposite problem.
Women often don’t push enough, don’t take enough credit, and don’t put themselves forward.
That realization inspired Goldsmith and researcher Sally Helgesen to write a very informative book called How Women Rise. This book is a game-changer for female leaders!
Key Lessons for Women in Leadership Roles
The lessons in this book flip the script for women.
It shares 12 lessons, including that women need to:
- Own their achievements. Stop downplaying your successes.
- Speak up with authority. Don’t wait until everything is perfect to make your voice heard.
- Build their network. Relationships matter as much as hard work.
Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Doesn’t Work
So, the truth is that what helps men move forward might actually hold women back and vice versa.
I’ve always known that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. These books provide research that confirms this view.
It’s such an important reminder that growth isn’t just about doing more of what has made us successful.
Sometimes, it’s about shifting your direction entirely!
