In the news

Outdated images of command-and-control often discourage women from accepting powerful positions, writes Laura Lee Gentry, a consultant at Egon Zehnder International, Atlanta, in pink magazine. But women should see their collaborative and democratic leadership styles as a “ticket to the C-Suite,” not a handicap, argues Gentry. Indeed, according to research by Egon Zehnder International, such “soft skills” acquire a far greater importance than competences such as results orientation, for example, just above mid-manager level. “When you think power, remember that the road to long-term career success doesn’t run from star performer to four-star general, but from highly competent contributor to influential collaborator,” concludes Gentry.