Female leaders, take note. By bringing your authenticity to the table, you’ll pave the way for real, positive change in the business world.

Work is changing. Even before the pandemic, a wholescale transition had already begun towards a working life aligned with people over strategy.

But, this new people-oriented landscape, says Geneviève Retzlaff at Grow Better Together, demands a balance between female and male leadership qualities. Importantly, female leaders should feel unafraid to bring their authentic selves to their roles.

Here’s why showing up with authenticity could be a female leader’s key to success.

We need female business leaders.

Back in the day, women in leadership roles shaped themselves to fit into masculine leadership styles to become – and feel – successful.

Those days are over. As people increasingly demand a new way of working, their leaders must become more accommodating, responsive, compassionate, caring and have a greater ability to accept insecurity, all while balancing their business’ strategic needs.

In other words: the business world is not only ready for female leadership qualities, but it also needs them to move forward.

2. Authenticity builds better client relationships.

This one is all about your USP. With your competitors dancing to the beat of the same drum (or product), the question is: what sets you and your business apart? Why should your clients choose to work with you and your team? More and more, the answer lies in the relationships they find and forge with you and your people.

The more authentically you present yourself, the more opportunity you’re giving your clients to know the ‘real’ you and form that long-term bond that is today’s secret sauce in business.

3. Tap into self-confidence.

In theory, bringing your authentic self to work is easy. In practice, however, it takes a journey of self-discovery and a shift away from long-held beliefs about what your working life should look like.

For female leaders, this journey is often even more difficult. Rushing from one task to the next, perhaps also juggling motherhood and personal goals, women in leadership roles tend to have a lot on their plates – as well as limiting beliefs about what they can and cannot achieve.

Becoming more authentic and autonomous requires you to define what these values mean for you – taking into account your unique priorities, lifestyle and ambitions.

Once you, as a female leader, can specify what authenticity means to you, confidence will follow.

4. Authenticity triggers growth.

To make the most of career and business development opportunities, leaders – like their team members – must grow.

And that’s not just business growth. Becoming a leader of tomorrow requires mindset growth, which, in turn, calls for you to step outside of your comfort zone.

With the help of a coach like Geneviève Retzlaff who will pull – not push – you towards your next goal, your comfort zone will expand with you as you grow.

5. Strong female leaders are crucial role models.

As you master the art of self-discovery and authenticity as a female leader, it will have a ripple effect on those around you, including your team, family and friends.

By taking that courageous step into your authentic self in the workplace, you will inspire others to follow suit. That means better mental health for your team, a more balanced working environment, and – if you have them – empowered children who will learn from you how to fully embrace who they are in life.

Geneviève Retzlaff chats about the importance of female leadership on The Entrepreneurial Success Podcast here.