Looking for examples of true leadership in a crisis? From Iceland to Taiwan and from Germany to New Zealand, women are stepping up to show the world how to manage a messy patch for our human family. Add in Finland, Iceland and Denmark, and this pandemic is revealing that women have what it takes when the heat rises in our Houses of State. Many will say these are small countries, or islands, or other exceptions. But Germany is large and leading, and the UK is an island with very different outcomes. These leaders are gifting us an attractive alternative way of wielding power. What are they teaching us?

Truth

Decisiveness

Tech

Love

Generally, the empathy and care which all of these female leaders have communicated seems to come from an alternate universe than the one we have gotten used to. It’s like their arms are coming out of their videos to hold you close in a heart-felt and loving embrace. Who knew leaders could sound like this? Now we do.

There have been years of research timidly suggesting that women’s leadership styles might be different and beneficial. Instead, too many political organizations and companies are still working to get women to behave more like men if they want to lead or succeed. Yet these national leaders are case study sightings of the seven leadership traits men may want to learn from women.

1. Don’t lean in when you’ve got nothing to lean in about.
2. Know your own limitations.
3. Motivate through transformation.
4. Put your people ahead of yourself.
5. Don’t command; empathize.
6. Don’t say you’re “humbled.” Be humble
7. Does reading this upset you?

It’s time we recognized it – and elected more of it.

As Paul wrote in his letters, “The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” Let’s go, boldly and faithfully, where we are lead.’