“Often, in leadership, we take a man as our starting point.” How to raise a leader in a woman

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The war forced women in Ukraine to take on many new tasks and challenges. To be leaders and actively defend one’s rights and interests both in Ukraine and abroad.

“Women’s work and influence are key in all areas“, the new ambassador of Canada to Ukraine emphasizes this Natalka Tsmots. – I am extremely impressed with the way you work and how united you are in these times. I look at you and what you do in your communities, the organizations you lead and represent, the problems you solve, and I am inspired by you“.

The ambassador also noted that now, more than ever, it is important to attract women to leadership positions:

“I raise this issue at all meetings. I ask what these or other institutions are doing to attract women to various positions, so that they have opportunities for professional growth“.

In order to understand what demand there is for female leadership in Ukraine and why it is necessary to train Ukrainian women systematically, having a vision and a concept, “Ukrainian Pravda. Life” spoke with experts in this topic and participants of the Communication School for Female Leaders, which the ambassador visited.

Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Natalka Tsmots

(Wo)man’s world

“The contribution of women to the struggle for Ukraine’s independence is invaluable. They are in the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and territorial defense, and play key roles in the rear, but women’s voices are still not heard powerfully enough, – notes Olena Trapeznikova, senior project coordinator of the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine. – Formally, women are now everywhere invited to be leaders, but no one takes into account the real obstacles – new ones and those that existed even before the war.

These one and a half years were extremely difficult for each and every one of us, and we realized that a large-scale need was ripe to make Ukrainian leaders, women activists and representatives of public organizations more visible“.

Olena Trapeznikova, senior project coordinator of the Embassy of Canada in Ukraine

Government Commissioner for Gender Policy Kateryna Levchenko notes that very often Ukrainian women cannot properly use the opportunities created by a specific situation.

“My participation in many international events and negotiations shows this. – she clarifies. – Someone lacks communication skills, someone lacks understanding of what can be gained from the situation, someone lacks relevant knowledge. We are sorely lacking in strengthening the role of women and programs that will help them crystallize leadership skills. The problem is that sometimes women do not even think about how much they can do, who have skills and knowledge. This is not seen by a particular woman and her environment, and the community and society may not really want to see it. You have to prove it all the time“.

Government Commissioner for Gender Policy Kateryna Levchenko

The request for training in women’s leadership confirms the number of applications received by the school – almost 300 women filled out questionnaires, sent motivational letters and recorded video business cards. For three training seasons, each lasting four days in September and October, 90 participants from all regions of Ukraine, aged from 15 to almost 80 years old, were selected.

Head of the Public Alliance “Women’s Political Action” Iryna Tyshko clarifies that women often find it difficult to embrace their leadership identity because the vast majority of leadership role models are male.

“It is the masculine style of communication and management that women are often suggested to follow – to imitate the “male” level of self-confidence or even surpass it, – says the school organizer. – At the same time, such tactics cannot be called effective. If a leader behaves in a “masculine” way, it can repel many, but if she behaves in a “feminine” way, then society does not accept this either, pointing to her weakness. And all this in a heap deepens the already existing ones gender and social constraints“.

Head of the public alliance “Political action of women” Iryna Tyshko

Against this background, it is important to teach women authentic leadership, she is convinced Olena Khomenkowho holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree in leadership (Walden University, USA), teaches courses on strategy and leadership in undergraduate, master’s, and graduate programs in Canada, Ukraine, and the United States.

“Each leader has the main tool – herself, – Olena is convinced. – We are all unique. Every woman needs to choose her own style of leadership, but at the same time remain herself. It’s not about acting, it’s not about changing masks, it’s not about some artificial roles… It’s about us understanding our values ​​and goals, and finding people with whom we share them and building partnerships“.

Olena Khomenko, who holds a doctorate in business administration in leadership (Walden University, USA)

Another trainer of the school – a psychologist, psychotherapist and coach – also helps women to discover their authentic qualities and values Olena Natoilad.

“Values ​​are formed in us throughout our lives and can change. For example, since the beginning of the full-scale war, everyone has noticed that some values ​​have fallen into the background, and some, on the contrary, have been actualized, – says Olena. – For leadership, it is very important to understand your values ​​and follow them. Values ​​are the bricks that give us support when we are pressured by some external challenges, for example, war“.

psychologist, psychotherapist and coach Olena Natoilad

About the involvement of women in the victory of a specific one – in the war against Russia, says, for example, Anastasiaa servicewoman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a member of the school:

“My values ​​are justice, stability, influence, as well as responsibility and loyalty. Having spent the entire period of the full-scale war in the ranks of the army, I understood even more how active and educated Ukrainians are needed in our country for further systemic changes. Winning the war is just the beginning. And the role of women in various structures and processes should only increase, because there are a lot of restrictions in this “man’s world”“.

“It is important for women to have role models”

Women need to be helped to minimize the amount of effort and time that needs to be spent on defending women’s leadership as such, experts are convinced.

“Often, when we talk about equal rights or about women and their opportunities, we compare them to men. That is, often in leadership we take a man as a starting point, because this is how the patriarchal world is arranged, – explains the trainer on respect for diversity, non-discrimination and inclusion Iryna Fedorovych. – U there are many problems behind this, and it is not only the situation in Ukraine. When we stop taking a man as a reference, when we just talk about rights and understand that they are the same for everyone, then we will move a little“.

trainer on issues of respect for diversity, non-discrimination and inclusion Iryna Fedorovych

Together with a well-known lawyer and human rights defender, senior partner of the Prove Bar Association Oksana GuzIryna Fedorovych immerses women in the topics of gender equality and non-discrimination.

Oksana Guz emphasizes that women should know real cases of court cases related to the oppression of women in politics, because this is the sphere of the least opportunities for women in Ukraine. There are still not enough female leaders in the parliament and local self-government bodies, in government positions.

The results of the latest study conducted by the Rating Sociological Group for the Rating Lab Research Laboratory in June 2023 indicate that political activity is evaluated by Ukrainian women of all age groups as a sphere of inequality.

Much can be said about the limitations that women face in politics Svetlana Panaiotidipolitician, lawyer, ex-deputy minister of economic development, trade and agriculture of Ukraine.

For example, Svitlana recalls how she defended the right to sign documents with the feminine form of the word deputy: “They didn’t want to accept, they returned the documents. She overcame it, signed as a substitute.”

“It is important to have role models, and preferably in such a reach that you can ask questions about how they succeeded in something, how they coped, what hindered them, motivated them, kept them, etc. – emphasizes Svitlana Panaiotidi. – When a person who has achieved something in life shares in such a personal way, then there is no feeling that someone is achieving something, but you will not succeed. Such exchange of experience is very useful. It also helps to believe in yourself“.

Svitlana Panaiotidi, politician, lawyer, former Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine

Iryna Tyshko adds:

“Ukrainian women see role models for themselves not in some foreign leaders or politicians. They want to imitate Ukrainian politicians and leaders, but the most important thing is that they see role models and support in each other“.

This is confirmed by a recent survey by BBC Media Action.

“Many Ukrainian women lack speaking and communication skills”

“Now, when we – women – broadcast the needs of our country and the women’s movement abroad and in Ukraine, we lack the knowledge, skills and abilities to confidently defend our needs. I hear this from representatives of local women’s organizations and our organizational development hubs that we work with.

The women tell how they went to the event, had a prepared speech, and then realized that a representative of Russia was sitting at the common table, and lost their speech, lost their emotions, lacked arguments, – tells Oksana Bryzhovatamanager of the project “Women of Ukraine: involved, capable, indomitable”.

Oksana Bryzhovata, manager of the project “Women of Ukraine: involved, capable, indomitable”

She adds that “many Ukrainian women lack speaking and communication skills; the ability to confidently defend one’s position and opinion, as confidently as possible; the ability to skillfully and clearly extract the correct message and slogan from some secret “pocket”.

“Leaders really need their confident and beautiful voice. It is he who opens many doors for us. It allows you to influence, convince and inspire trust, – says the TV presenter and public speaking trainer Marina Klym. – We must be able to control our voice: speak a little louder than we are used to in order to attract attention; speak lower – when we want to convey important meanings, and make longer pauses so that the person has time to understand and comprehend what was said. Mastery of the voice is not about sound or clear consonants or correct breathing, it is about something more. It’s about confidence as a state“.

In 2024, the public alliance “Women’s Political Action” intends to hold new training seasons of the School of Communication for Women Leaders.

TV presenter and public speaking trainer Maryna Klym

“Our intention is to train a community of female leaders who will strengthen the public, human rights, political, diplomatic and volunteer environment and effectively advocate national interests and the interests of the women’s movement in Ukraine and at the international level. In order for this story to be repeated next year and for hundreds of women to discover their leadership within themselves, we don’t need much – to find people who share the same values ​​as we do and join our efforts.” – says school coordinator Iryna Tyshko.

The Government of Canada in partnership with the Office of the Government Commissioner for Gender Policy Kateryna Levchenko supports the Ukrainian project “Women of Ukraine: Involved, Capable, Unbreakable” of the “Pact” organization, which together with the public alliance “Political Action of Women” created the Communication School for Female Leaders. Thanks to grant support, training was free for women leaders from all over Ukraine.

Olga Sytnik, especially for UP. Life

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