The Science of Women’s Leadership | Alexis Kanda-Olmstead | TEDxCSU

Why are there so few women leaders? Weaving together scientific research and personal narrative, Alexis Kanda-Olmstead explains why women may be reluctant to take on leadership roles and what we - women and men - can do to disrupt the powerful internal forces that undermine women’s leadership aspirations and confidence. 1. Alexis Kanda-Olmstead leads talent and diversity initiatives at Colorado State University for the Division of University Advancement. Throughout her twenty-year career in higher education, Alexis has worked to help students, faculty, and staff actualize their potential as leaders through self-knowledge, personal empowerment, and service. As a student and practitioner of women’s development, social justice, and organizational psychology, Alexis believes that with grace and humor we can create positive change that benefits everyone.

[AishawithanEye]

Excellent talk. I am a woman who never feared leading and, from a very early age, knew that the thing I wanted to do in life is lead. The issue I've found is that the kind of leadership the teams I lead need is that which helps them organize, communicate, and collaborate, (which I'd argue is the "ideal female leader"--that of "mother" to her team--makes sure the kids keep their rooms clean and get along properly) and the kind of leadership they get is militant, dictative, and distant (which is a "father" to his team role, but don't get me started on our society's daddy issued). Often the white male lead I work with will not have an understanding of what is wrong and what needs to be done (because the team lacks organization) but thinks it's his job to TELL everyone what to do, sometimes even just doing it for them because he lacks the ability to communicate what needs to be done. When I've brought my leadership skills to the team, it becomes organized, team members understand who to go to when they need what, and everyone knows what they're supposed to be doing, but I don't get recognition from the male lead. It's like he himself lacks support and guidance from his other male leads and superiors. The issue is that men are rising into these leadership roles BECAUSE of their appearance (white male = looks like a leader = must be a leader) but they don't actually know how to lead the team (due to lack of training or competition instead of collaboration with their peers) so they become insecure when their team gets the support they need from me. Mind you, it's not ALL the team needs, it could use the direction and foresight these male leads should be providing via their job description, but I end up being all they have when their "traditional leader" isn't fulfilling his responsibilities. In summary, what I'm suggesting is that the female leadership problem could be resolved by fixing our male leadership problem. We just have a leadership problem, people.

[dulcemy]

Thinking about my experience, what I found out is that it is really hard to get men to trust you in the workplace, but once day do, they are very supportive. However, women will see other women as a threat and start making their lives hard. For the most part I have experienced that women are the enemies of other women.

[desireemoreno]

I love learning about women leadership. Anyone else?

[omahacheeks]

1. Focus on your values before you do anything that scares you
2. Be brave, have and show mental and moral strength to face danger, fear, and difficulty

[agustindiaz]

What a great talk, she is so right. How can it be that women make up 50% the population and do not have proportional representation in leadership positions? Incredible! I really hope individuals become aware and willing to encourage women to lead. Go women! You CAN do it!

[nessandpeanut]

This is the best TedTalk I've come across. Well done speaker. Amazing job. This is soulful content.

[tiadozeman]

I’m tired of putting the responsibility on women - telling them to lean in. I have leaned in, and I was told to shut up. Not that directly, but it was the message. I’m nearly 15 years into my career, and this has been the repeat message from the company I worked at for nearly 10 years. Happy to report I’ve recently left, but again, women cannot solve the problem of inequality by themselves.

[trishachakraborty]

Perfect.. Women are the pillars of the society and corporate culture. Loved your talk.

[donnapaul]

So wanting to step outside the box and fly.
Enjoying these talks

[kinleyyangdon]

We need women like you. Appreciated Alexis🎉

[janengaira]

So on point! Thanks so much. I was also so scared of being a leader till I became one. Ladies, you can do it..its not rocket science. Just remove the fear factor and you are good to go...don't forget to develop yourselves, that's the only way you can learn the ropes. Good luck👍

[nkatyt]

8 yrs ago.. when I first got into college, I was a very hyperactive girl. I never had any problem with the girls in my class.. they loved me.. in fact they would come to my hostel room to spend time with me, work on assignments with me.. but the guys are totally different. They would say things behind my back like "she is doing all this for attention", and other worse things I can't even say here.. fast forward now I am an introvert.. afraid of talking..

Honestly, since childhood I grew up in a hostel.. I seeked love that I missed from family since I was away from them..

But I am content now with who I am.. because men are still the same way.. they won't change.. I still aspire to be in a leadership position. I will just lead the way I am now

[TheEllene]

I have learned a lot through TED Talks and found them truly interesting but this presentation was by far the best. Congratulations!

[everhuman]

So much truth in this talk. That riddle pulled me right in from the start. Thanks for sharing your hard-earned insight and shining a huge spotlight on the leadership gap for women and men, and how we can bravely work together to confront it.

[callme_t]

Thank you so much! You are a true inspiration. I loved this Ted talk❤️

[niputupramitasari]

I got the riddle right immediately.. why is it so hard ?

[iuliap]

In the riddle it's not only about mind models. It's also about language expressions. In other languages you would know that the doctor is a woman, because there is a word for that.

[marvinmansueto]

What a great talk....loved every bit of it.

[ni]

I am in 15%, didn't even take a moment to didn't even realize there was a stereotype, I guess that's because our family doctor is women and in India, atleast doctors have a balanced gender ratio

[juliewolf]

Focus on your values, really great advice.