Describe a female leader you like IELTS Cue Card

So, a female leader who I like from my country is Nirmala Sitharaman. She is an Indian economist and is the Finance Minister of India. She has had a fantastic political journey and takes a stand for herself and her womanhood. So she was born in Tamil Nadu in India, and 2022, she was also featured in Forbes for the world’s most popular, most powerful women, and she was ranked 36th in that. 

She is a powerful speaker, and she knows what she is doing. She takes a stand for herself, the country, and the women in the country, and she understands the general needs of women and children. I have heard many speeches from her, and she is truly inspirational. I think to become an effective leader, the leader must try to understand the needs of the people, and they should constantly keep a check on what people are going through or suffering from; they should try to address their needs, and that is how they can create an impact on the people they are a leader too. 

So, there is a vast difference between a manager and a leader. A manager is supposed to organize or enhance any project or event’s feasibility. In contrast, a leader is not only doing the managerial task but also impacting the people. A leader can influence people’s minds and make them believe in what they are doing, and in any organizational setup, leadership qualities are essential. People should understand that they are not in the managerial seat to make authoritative decisions; they also need to influence and inspire people to get things done. 

Follow-ups

Can you share examples of leadership styles, such as autocratic, democratic, and transformational, and their strengths and weaknesses? 

So whenever I think about different leadership styles, a flow chart comes to my mind where the arrows play a huge difference in an autocratic or a transformational type of leadership. The leader takes the decision, which is conveyed to the employees, who have to obey the decision and work accordingly.

If I talk about the democratic style of leadership, the leader is only supposed to make the decision, but the decision is based on the employees’ choices. In some places, the leader might also help create votes, or they can create a poll where people can choose from the given options, and whatever option is most preferred can be taken and considered for making the decision. I talk about the transformative style, which incorporates both autocratic and democratic and can transition based on needs. 

How do leaders inspire and motivate their teams to achieve common goals and foster a culture of collaboration and innovation? 

A leader can do that by making their team members work in a team. For the starting period, they can create some events where people enjoy the activity and create a sense of unity, leading to better results.

What ethical considerations must leaders navigate, and how do they ensure integrity and accountability in their decision-making?

 Leaders should remember specific ethical considerations, understand the person’s freedom, and not take the employee as a part of the machine. They should invite them to bring their ideas to the table, and they should consider their request in general so that they create an excellent work-life for them.

Can you discuss the importance of self-awareness and continuous self-improvement in leadership development?

 So self-awareness and continuous self-development are essential for a person who is a leader because if the person is aware of him or herself, they will be able to decide in a better manner because not only will it, but every decision shows their personality, but it also leaves an impact on the people for whom the decision was made.

 How do leaders navigate challenges and conflicts within teams or organizations?

 Leaders navigate the conflicts by answering or listening to both parties, knowing their stands and opinions, and then deciding which parties must adjust.

 What role do mentorship and coaching play in developing future leaders, and how can organizations facilitate this process?

 Different organizations are already doing it by creating a post called assistant manager, where people gain experience under the managers to become future managers; it creates a good experience because it gives insight into that designation, and people can work better.

 How can leaders promote diversity, equity, and inclusion within their teams and organizations, and why is this critical for long-term success?

 So, creating a sense of inclusivity with diversity is essential because as much as the team is diverse and everybody feels included, group work will be more accessible. It will benefit them by creating group projects and breaking all the employees into groups. They are given specific tasks to deal with, and after dealing with that task, whichever team does the best is also awarded, and it acts as a positive reinforcement for the employees to keep working.

 What strategies can leaders employ to promote growth?

 Leaders can create certain events or organize activities to teach their staff or the employees to increase production, teach about certain technological advancements, and equip the employees for that change.