The Essential Leadership Skills for Women Leaders in the Age of Industry 4.0

Abstract

The researchers summarized and synthesized research evidence on different women’s leadership characteristics and behaviors from men and identified essential women’s leadership competencies that are necessary to address the new challenges of today’s workplace and the paradigm shifts for women leaders to remain competitive in Industry 4.0. Recent neuroscience and social sci ence research findings regarding women’s leadership characteristics and behaviors were reviewed and discussed. Critical leadership traits, abilities, and skills for (international) business success were discussed. Six essential women’s leadership skill sets for Industry 4.0 were proposed to provide human resource development practitioners a framework for women leadership development and promoting gender equality in workplace. Some unique women’s traits such as sensing, listening, accepting, approaching, collaborating, supporting, and encouraging, can be women leaders’ strengths in the tech-driven workplace. Finally, implications for human resource development and recommendations for future research were provided.