'Power shortage’ is not just a term for the energy industry; executives frequently experience deficits in their power to influence as well. According to this Idea, there are three power sources that need to be maintained in order to avoid, or recover from, a power deficit.
There is a ‘Gender Trap’ that women leaders face. The received wisdom that female executives looking to get ahead should adopt male leadership traits is defunct. Traits a male can ‘get away with’, or even be praised for, are perceived very differently in a woman. To break the trap and cultivate a winning leadership style: women must live up to collective expectations of what makes a leader, but remain true to certain gender expectations too.
Becoming a good leader requires having to work hard on yourself, even if good leaders make it look easy. The same traits - or dimensions - that are traditionally considered essential for executives to grow can in fact become a hindrance for them. Executives should practice self-awareness, and learn to adapt when needed.
