NOCAPP 1ST FEMALE PRESIDENT

In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the value and impact of women's leadership. Women have been breaking barriers and making strides in various fields, from politics and business to science and education. As a result, there has been a growing body of research that highlights the unique strengths and qualities that women bring to leadership roles.

I will attempt to explore in-depth the strengths and uniqueness in the leadership of women, drawing on research and real-life examples to illustrate my points and using Comr. Komommo Ubi as a case study.

It is crystal clear women’s unique strengths to leadership roles that can positively impact their organizations and the people they lead. Here are some of the key strengths and unique aspects of women's leadership:

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Women leaders tend to have higher levels of emotional intelligence and empathy, which allows them to connect with and understand the needs and perspectives of their team members. This skillset helps them to create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.

Empathy and emotional intelligence are clearly two key strengths that women bring to leadership roles all the time. It is generally believed that Women tend to be more attuned to the emotions and needs of others, which allows them to connect with and understand their team members better. This ability to empathize can be especially valuable in high-stress situations or when dealing with conflicts within a team. Research has also shown that leaders who demonstrate empathy and emotional intelligence tend to have more engaged and productive teams (Gentry et al., 2018).

For example, Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, demonstrated empathy and emotional intelligence during the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019. She wore a hijab and hugged the grieving families of the victims, sending a message of compassion and support to the Muslim community in New Zealand and around the world. Her response was widely praised for its humanity and compassion, demonstrating the power of empathy in leadership.

Collaboration and Communication: Another key strength of women's leadership is collaboration and communication. Women tend to be more open to different viewpoints and more willing to seek input and feedback from others. This approach can lead to more effective decision-making and problem-solving, as well as better relationships with team members.

For example, Mary Barra, the CEO of General Motors, has made collaboration and communication a cornerstone of her leadership style. She has worked to break down silos within the company and encourage cross-functional teams to work together more effectively. Her approach has led to better communication and collaboration within the company, as well as improved performance and innovation including effective decision-making and problem-solving.

Resilience and Perseverance: Women have historically faced many obstacles and challenges in their personal and professional lives, which has led to a strong sense of resilience and perseverance. These qualities enable women to overcome setbacks and continue to pursue their goals in the face of adversity and deliberate frustration from counter forces.

Diversity and Inclusion: Women leaders tend to prioritize diversity and inclusion in their organizations, as they have often experienced the challenges of being underrepresented or marginalized themselves. This mindset can lead to a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture, which can improve innovation and creativity. Research has shown that diverse teams tend to be more innovative and creative, which can lead to better performance and outcomes (Scott et al., 2019).

For example, Indra Nooyi, the former CEO of PepsiCo, made diversity and inclusion a priority during her tenure. She implemented a number of initiatives to increase diversity within the company, including a program to mentor and sponsor women and people of color. Her approach has led to a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture, which has improved innovation and creativity within the company.

Multitasking and Time Management: Women are often expected to juggle multiple responsibilities in their personal and professional lives, which can lead to strong multitasking and time management skills. These abilities can be valuable in leadership roles, where there are often competing priorities and deadlines to manage.

Resilience and Perseverance

Women have historically faced many obstacles and challenges in their personal and professional lives, which has led to a strong sense of resilience and perseverance. These qualities enable women to overcome setbacks and continue to pursue their goals in the face of adversity. Research has shown that resilience and perseverance are key factors in success, particularly in leadership roles (Masten, 2018).

For example, Oprah Winfrey, one of the most successful women in media, has faced many challenges throughout her life, including poverty, abuse, and racism. However, she has persevered through these challenges and used them as motivation to succeed. Her resilience and perseverance have been key factors in her success as a leader, both in her media empire and her philanthropic work.

In the spirit of the International Women's Day

I make a post to celebrate our very amiable President, now President Emeritus Comr. Komommo Ubi and to recognize her incredible leadership and contributions to Northern Calabar Presbytery PYPAN (NOCAPP).

Her dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have not only benefited our Association, but have also made a positive impact on the lives of so many people which is quite evident in the turned out of Youth from the Parish she hails.

As a female leader, she has shattered the glass ceiling and broken down barriers in a traditionally male-dominated Association. Making history as not just the first Female President in the history of NOCAPP but also one of the few, if not the only female Presbytery PYPAN President across Calabar Synod for the year 2022.

She has demonstrated that women can lead with excellence, integrity, and compassion, and has served as a role model and inspiration to many.

Under her leadership, the Association has achieved remarkable successes and milestones. Her vision, strategic planning, and effective communication (peace inclined) have enabled us to navigate challenging times and emerge stronger than ever. She's personally my own Icon of peace as her looks and ever smiling face has the capacity calm even the angriest of souls.

The post was made to honor and celebrate her, and all the incredible women and female Comrades who have paved the way for future generations of female leaders and to pledge our unalloyed support and empowerment of women, and to work towards a more equitable and inclusive world for all.

Be for I conclude, permit me to highlight some examples of organizations and institutions that have experienced challenges or changes after the departure of a woman leader:

Yahoo: After the departure of CEO Marissa Mayer, who was the first woman to lead the company, Yahoo faced significant challenges and ultimately sold to Verizon at a much lower valuation than it had been worth in the past.

Harvard Business School: After former Dean Nitin Nohria stepped down, there were concerns about the lack of diversity and inclusion at the institution, which had been a focus of Nohria's leadership.

The World Health Organization (WHO): After the resignation of Director-General Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, who had been a strong advocate for global health initiatives, the organization faced challenges in maintaining its focus on global health issues.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF): After the departure of former Managing Director Christine Lagarde, there were concerns about the lack of diversity in leadership and the need for a more inclusive approach to economic policy.

Hewlett-Packard: After the resignation of former CEO Carly Fiorina, who was the first woman to lead a Fortune 50 company, the company struggled with internal divisions and declining performance.

It is important to note that in each of these cases, the departure of a woman leader was not the sole cause of the challenges or changes experienced by the organization or institution. Many other factors were at play, including external market conditions, internal dynamics, and changes in leadership style and strategy. However, the impact of women leaders on organizational culture and performance should not be underestimated, and organizations and institutions should prioritize diversity and inclusion in their leadership pipelines to ensure that they are able to continue to thrive in a changing world.