Tips from the Top: How Remarkable Women Lead in Times of Crisis

Session Submission Type: Panel Discussion

Short Description

While it is clear that women and men are not two separate monolithic groups and that there is as much diversity within genders as across genders, panelists will share new ideas, trends, findings and good practices from their different sectors about women and leadership. They will explore if there is a gender dimension in the way leaders and managers respond to crisis and lead through adversity and change.

Detailed Abstract

While it is clear that women and men are not two separate monolithic groups and that there is as much diversity within genders as across genders, panelists will share new ideas, trends, findings and good practices from their different sectors. They will discuss if leading through hardship reveals different gender patterns: e.g. Does it reveal different weaknesses and strengths in men and women? Self-awareness is easier for women than men leaders? Are women better suited to create sustainable –less risky- working environments? Is there a gender difference when it comes to face own limits, deal with blind spots, develop resilience, coping strategies and overall innovative solutions? Finally, they will all share their best tips to lead in times of instability, to develop more inclusive and responsive organisations, to de-polarise dichotomic gender divides, and to create new narratives in the realm of Leadership.



Questions to the panel:
• Do men and women in top positions lead differently through adversity and change? If so, what patterns can be identified in the ways they manage in times of turbulence?
• How can a systemic culture of gender diversity help creating sustainable institutions and organisations?
• What is the role of gender diversity in overcoming complex crisis?
• In times of instability – when all the available talents are needed- what concrete steps should be given to develop more inclusive and responsive organisations? How can we depolarize the current gender divide and create new narratives in the realm of Leadership?
• Do you agree with the survey showing that women are more likely to be appointed in times of crisis (Forbes, 2016) and that might actually represent a regression for gender diversity? Why/why not?
• What are the personal strategies of each panelist to deal with change and manage their teams & stakeholders through moments of stormy transformations?

Sub Unit

• Business Leadership

Chair

• Claudia Caldeirinha, RedScope Consulting

Presenters

• Susan R. Madsen, Utah Valley University

• Salome Cisnal de Ugarte, Hogan Lovells

• Cindy R. Pace, MetLife