Women Leaders: Vertical development is a powerful approach that can unlock untapped potential

Imagine the leader you could become if you were not constrained by self-doubt, societal expectations, and gender bias. What impact could you have on your team, your organization, and the world? By breaking free from these limitations, you can unlock your potential and become the leader you were meant to be.

Despite progress in gender equality, many women still face unique challenges as they advance in their careers that impede their ability to reach their full potential. These challenges can range from navigating gender bias to managing imposter syndrome and balancing work and life responsibilities. 

In this dynamic and often challenging landscape, traditional leadership development programs may not be enough. Enter vertical development – an approach that is highly effective in helping women leaders develop the skills and confidence to overcome these challenges. While traditional leadership development programs equip leaders with the knowledge and competencies to improve specific skills or abilities, vertical leadership development goes beyond that. It focuses on working from the inside-out by examining a leader’s mindset, underlying beliefs, values and mental models that shape their behaviour.  This approach aims to evolve the leaders’ way of thinking, making them more adaptable and adept at leading in complex and challenging environments.

How women-only vertical development addresses the challenges women face in several ways:

1.    Mindset shifts: By shifting mindsets and perspectives, women challenge their self-limiting beliefs and develop a more empowered sense of self.

2.    Self-Awareness: Through self-reflection, women can gain a deeper understanding of their strengths, weaknesses and leadership style which helps to facilitate the development of strategies to navigate gender bias

3.    Adaptive leadership skills: By expanding cognitive and emotional capacities, leaders become more flexible and adaptable in their thinking, and more adept at navigating an increasingly complex and uncertain environment.

4.    Emotional intelligence: By enhancing a leader’s emotional intelligence, leaders are more effective at working with their emotions and those of others.

5.    Increased resilience: By building resilience and self-compassion, leaders are better able to manage work-life balance, bounce back from failures and maintain a positive attitude in difficult situations.

6.    Improved leadership effectiveness: Ultimately vertical development leads to improved overall effectiveness. Leaders become more inspiring, influential, and impactful.

7.    Peer Support and Networking: Women-only development programs provide opportunities for women to connect with other female leaders.  Women offering support and advice to other women helps counter some of the effects of lack of representation.

If this article resonates with you, please connect with me to learn more about the services I provide and the Women-only Leadership Development Forum I lead. 

About the Author: Claire is a consultant, facilitator, and executive coach with over 25 years of experience in leadership and organizational development. She is a qualified adult vertical development (growth-edge) coach.