Sweden: Female CEOs run companies with lower profit margins

Företagarna’s CEO Elisabeth Thand Ringqvist

“Companies headed by a female CEO have a lower profit margin on average than companies headed by a male CEO, according to a report by the national small business association Företagarna. The business association Företagarna has reviewed 125,000 Swedish business and found that companies with a female CEO had a profit margin of 7 percent on average, whereas the same number for male CEOs was 8.4 percent.” (Radio Sweden)

As surprising as this result might be for some, so predictable is some of the rationale: “The difference may also reflect how different men and women are treated in business negotations.”

I am curious if and how this will be discussed within the HR community.

Why Most Leaders Need to Shut Up and Listen – Forbes

“Want to become a better leader? Stop talking and start listening.”

Nothing more to add… ok, there is some more to leadership than listening, but I believe that listening (and in essence understanding) is still the essential leadership skill. Again, not the invention of the wheel (e.g. it’s in Covey’s 7 habits) – but it’s absolutely worth reminding oneself about it over and over…

Back to Mike Myatt’s  great article on leadership on forbes.com.

He’s got six easy to memorize but maybe not always so easy to apply tips for becoming a better listener (more details in the article) :

1. It’s not about you
2. You should never be too busy to listen The way that Mike describes this skill is also the essence of how social media and networking works. So it is a skill that everyone should use today, not just people managers.
3. Listen to non-verbals
4. Listen for opportunity 3 and 4 will be not so easy to learn and apply for some, as it involves quiet some intuition.
5. Let listening be your calling card
6. Recognize the contributions of others Not sure if this is really a listening skill, but it definitely is an important and easy to adept skill. Despite some contrary personal experiences I still believe that you grow by making others great.

The Biggest Mistake a Leader Can Make – Video – Harvard Business Review

Not the invention of the wheel for any decent HR professional, but maybe you know someone you would like to show this video to… 🙂 Have a great weekend, t

Shiny happy people…

Everyone wants happy employees, but is economy all about happiness? Even in economy 2.0, 3.0, 4.2,…

Rob Markey has some conclusions and arguments to think about: “We should aspire not just to make employees “happy,” but to do so by helping them achieve great things.”

Or in other words: “If you want to be happy, get a hobby. If you want your life to have meaning, get a career.” I won’t engage in the discussion if a career should determine the meaning of life, but it’s a catchy phrase.

A related HRB Article: Creating Sustainable Performance

Being nice is smart business.

Interesting post by Tony Schwartz on the HBR Blog Network on Leadership.

Reading the four pieces of advice I wonder why not everybody is adopting them, although they are so simple?

1. As the Hippocratic oath prescribes to physicians, “Above all else, do no harm.” [sounds like Google :-)]

2. Practice appreciation by starting with yourself.

3. Make it a priority to notice what others are doing right.

4. Be appreciative.

Well, maybe Rousseau’s idea of man which still underlies most of the en vogue leadership theories doesn’t always apply…