“Find a need and fill it” ~ Ruth Stafford Peale
That quote really sums up and represents the powerful emotional intelligence, intuition and instincts that women are demonstrating as leaders today in all their personal and business roles. Women are growing into their power demo status and using it to launch, transition and change, as well as to make a big difference.
In their bestselling book “Brain Sex: The Real Difference Between Men and Women,” Ann Moir- PHD and David Jessel write:
“The sexes are different because their brains are different. The brain is differently constructed in men and in women; it processes information in a different way, which results in different perceptions, priorities and behavior.”
It is this unique gender asset that women possess, this amazing EQ or emotional intelligence, that is producing some impressive data and statistics about women in business and in the workplace.
According to the Center for Women’s Business Research:
“If U.S.-based women-owned businesses were their own country, they would have the 5th largest GDP in the world, trailing closely behind Germany, and ahead of countries including France, the United Kingdom and Italy.”
- Women now dominate the education, hospitality, media, professional services and medical fields.
- Women are increasingly emerging in leadership roles in fields such as engineering, architecture and science.
- 10.4 million businesses are owned by women (meaning women own 50 percent of the business or more).
- Women employ 12.8 million people.
- Women-owned businesses account for 1.9 trillion in sales.
- Women-owned business are growing at a ratio of 2 to 1 compared to businesses owned by minorities.
- Women control 66 percent of global spending.
Today’s professional women come from diverse generations and backgrounds.
They are doers, connectors, catalysts and agents of change. They are visionaries, making a huge difference, relentless in their passion for what they want to do and what they can do. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, citizens, caretakers, aunts and mentors. They are triumphing over adversities, emerging stronger, learning to be more independent, resilient, persevering and unleashing their deep purpose.
Three distinct generations of women–Boomers, Gen X and Gen Y–are now in the workplace together, with so much to share, give and learn. Some of the language, style trends and history is different, but the commonality of wanting to be more autonomous, leave a legacy and support each other is what still binds the sisterhood.
There simply has never been a better time than now to be a professional woman. The opportunities for women in all fields have exploded thanks to the resolve of Susan B. Anthony, Rosa Parks, Gloria Steinem, Bella Abzug, Angelina Jolie, Oprah, Lady Gaga, Hillary Clinton and Angela Merkel, to name just a few. I thank them for paving a way and blazing a trail for me. They are strong examples with a fierce courage to step up and speak out with confidence, purpose and poise in demonstrating their leadership. Generation Y will be one the most entrepreneurial generations of our time!
Here is Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women for 2011. This diverse and impressive group represents our present, but also our emerging potential.
Ladies, raise your glass and toast with me! “I will celebrate my feminine qualities and gifts, use them to heal and lead, claim my place and honor my role.”
I know some pretty amazing businesswomen out there. Glad to see them getting some recognition.
The data is undeniable but I find it hard to accept that EQ thing. Maybe that describes women in the West!
Who rules the world? ^_^
Robert, me too and many of them are just quietly doing their thing w/out the glam!
R, maybe more cultural? But the EQ is in the female DNA. Men and women’s brain chem is different! Where are you from?
I do believe in the power of woman today. Woman today build their own names in the field of business, and they are just so great in it.
I agree Deborah, this IS a great time for women entrepreneurs. Women entrepreneurs are springboarding right now and it’s simply fantastic! I think it’s a great combination between a HUGE amount of women trail blazers and role models and also I think the economy sinking to a new low may have helps in the past few years. Now I know it’s certainly not been great for everyone. But because “necessity is the mother of invention”, there may have been a fare amount of women losing jobs, having to come up with an alternative and consequently birthing a new business. In fact, I know several women / Mom’s who have done just that in the pst 1 to 2 years. Thanks for a great article – it IS exciting to see more women step into owinging their own business – hey, we are awesome and we will do great!
Thanks Wayne..agreed building your own name, community and brand is how you stand out! We love our men who support us!
Jeanne, love your support and you go girl! We have made BIG progress buit much more to do to bridge the “income gap”.