WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
The topic of gender in the business environment has always been a subject of curiosity, with questions arising about whether women face any challenges in leadership positions and the pressures they encounter in such roles. To address these questions, on July 1, 2021, the Postgraduate Education Institute organized an online seminar on the theme of “MBA – Women Empowerment in Business Leadership.” Led by Dr. Doan Minh Chau, Vice Dean of the Postgraduate Education Institute, and featuring two guest speakers: Associate Professor Dr. Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, Vice President of Hoa Sen University, and Ms. Nguyen Dang Quynh Anh, Deputy General Director of Yeah1 Group – General Director of GIGA1. They shared very practical insights into the aspects of life for a female leader.
The challenges that female leaders have to face
Although society has progressed, gender inequality still quietly persists. Some studies show that the majority of respondents believe a woman’s success lies in her family and that women know nothing about electronics or e-commerce. These are just two of many misconceptions about women. The challenge for a female leader is to overcome these stereotypes and assert herself. A leader should not be distinguished by gender but by their ability to perform well in their leadership role.
Additionally, female leaders face the challenge of balancing work and personal life. The secret, as shared by the two guest speakers, lies in time management. Ms. Quynh Anh shared: “Each person must manage themselves. When at work, prioritize what goals need to be achieved and focus on solving work-related issues. When returning home, fulfill the responsibilities of a wife, mother, or family member. Don’t confuse roles. Everyone only has 24 hours a day, so prioritize your tasks and focus on resolving them effectively at the right time.”
The pressures of a female leader
The seminar garnered significant attention from viewers, especially women who juggle both professional responsibilities and family duties. The program received numerous shares about the pressures and questions posed to the guests on how to balance both aspects. The speakers empathized deeply with the audience’s concerns and offered practical solutions to address these pressures. In response to inquiries about how to gain understanding and support from family members regarding family responsibilities and professional roles, the guests advised family members to share and communicate with each other to better understand each other’s needs. They expressed the desire for mutual support and companionship on the career path.
Ms. Nguyen Dang Quynh Anh: “Each of us has the right to make decisions, the right to lead ourselves. Leadership here is not only about leading in an organization but also leading in our own lives.”
Sometimes, successful women may unintentionally create conflicts within their families. The speakers also shared that we should limit bringing work home. Additionally, we can listen to and encourage our partners, sharing difficulties and finding ways to overcome obstacles together.
Essential qualities to become a successful leader
To become an effective leader, one can rely on 20% innate talent. However, for success, the remaining 80% comes from confronting reality, accumulating knowledge through learning and experience to prove one’s ability to take on leadership roles.
The guests also agree that to develop and explore inner qualities, one needs a process of training and determination. Associate Professor Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy shared her learning and training experience: “First of all, we should draw lessons from our own work experiences. Every day, we can rethink the decisions we make.” In addition, the President of Hoa Sen University advises that we can learn from our own leadership levels, not only from good things but also from behaviors that make us sad. We can also learn from these experiences to avoid repeating them with our subordinates.
To become a first female leader, one needs to determine their goals for the coming years. It’s essential to have a good grasp of specialized knowledge, maintain personal health, and develop and expand external relationships. Learn from successful people in the field, observe what they learn, experience, and consider them as practical examples to learn from. Always be ready to accept leadership roles, and then one’s abilities can be fully realized.
Always maintain positive thinking and work with passion
Working with dedication and passion, having dreams and aspirations for the business is emphasized by the two guests. Because working with passion will make one’s energy become positive. Never let negative thoughts like stress, overwork, overload,… occupy your mind because these thoughts will make your body tired and unable to complete tasks. Positive thinking will make everything smoother.
