Logistics Quarterly Magazine - Volume 16, Issue 1, 2010

Developing Leadership in Business

A study conducted by a New Jersey research firm, Caliper, found that women lead with an inclusive, team-building leadership style of problem solving and decision-making.

By Ellen Voie

WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR 2010 to be the year of change in the trucking industry. We need to focus on a brighter future. The past two years have been some of the most challenging this industry has experienced.

Not only has the economy affected the operations of all motor carriers, legislation has increased the burden and reduced the profit margin even further. In Canada there were nearly 600 companies that chose to close their doors rather than face the challenges ahead, and in the United States the bankruptcy rate is expected to increase in 2010; some estimates suggest an additional 5,500 carriers will close this year.

During this same period, the number of women-owned businesses has increased. The Women in Trucking Association not only represents women behind the wheel, but a large part of our membership is women-owned businesses. These include small carriers as well as maintenance shops, law firms, insurance companies, and recruiting services. Recently we have seen an increase in the number of women who are inquiring about certification for women-owned businesses.

As an association, we provide a number of resources to advance and support our members. They are encouraged to connect with one another through networking opportunities, interactive web forums and through our mentoring services.

Perhaps these benefits offer some insight into the foundation for the success of our members as well as other women-owned and led companies. Women lead differently than men and this could be the reason more women are inclined to belong to an association that encourages collaboration. Whether women's skills as entrepreneurs are "better" than men's is not the issue. They are just different. This could also provide some insight into why women are becoming more predominant in the business world.

A study conducted by a New Jersey research firm, Caliper, found that women lead with an inclusive, team-building leadership style of problem solving and decision-making. This underscores the importance of networking and mentor- ing. Women care and want to show that concern while they lead.

This doesn't mean that women are not assertive in trying to persuade, as the opposite is often true. Women are more persistent in their efforts to influence and are motivated to succeed when challenged through a desire to prove themselves.

The Caliper study also found that women are more willing to take risks than men in an effort to meet their goals. Women who are motivated to challenge the status quo are more likely to reinvent the rules along the way. In an environment where power and growth have often defined success, maybe the trucking and logistics industry could benefit from a change in leadership styles.

As we look forward to the coming years and the growth of women-owned businesses we should prepare for changes in how companies are being led. There will be more collaboration and less withholding of information to gain power. Women find a sense of strength in sharing with others, not keeping information privileged. Women exhibit a more team-building and inclusive attitude toward leadership, which promotes more interaction and a more open atmosphere for sharing ideas. The Caliper group found that a woman facing a difficult decision would share her concerns with many more peers, coworkers and friends than her male counterparts, who prefer to confide only in those whom they trust to keep their challenges confidential.

The environment within the company will also change. Instead of defining the workday in terms of hours, there will be more emphasis on output and results. The Caliper study found that many women leave their corporate jobs to start their own companies most often for the flexibility they desire in their lives. Expect a more flexible work environment to accommodate the family's needs outside of the workday.

The Small Business Administration found that 70 percent of women-owned businesses are in the service industries. Expect this to be evident in the type of operation led by women. The maternal instinct to accommodate will allow women an edge in the area of customer service for their clients.

The way women lead is gaining appreciation as more women enter the workplace and become more visible in male-dominated industries, such as in trucking and logistics. How we define leadership will reflect these changes and create a less commanding environment in the future. This could be one of the positive results of the recent economic downturn.

As more companies promote women into leadership roles, we will notice a change in what qualities are seen as valuable for success. Watch for the coming years to bring greater visibility for women as leaders and more of a change in the way companies are led.