I'm talking with Heidi Steiger on how she views women in leadership, what qualities do women have and how should we stimulate each other to reach our goals.

1. WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP - Heidi Steiger
Heidi Steiger is female board director, audit committee expert. A creative visionary
with a mission. "
What leadership qualities do women have?"
Having been in leadership positions for many years, I can say that in the financial
industry – traditionally a man’s world – women leadership is incredibly important. We
possess many undervalued traits."
Women are more sensitive to cultural issues and pay more attention to the impact of
their actions on their surroundings; both towards the people and the environment.
They’re also more inclusive which makes them adept at building strong teams and
getting the best out of people. I also believe women are more collaborative… and
better negotiators."

2. What characterises your leadership style?
Next to being collaborative and inclusive, I think it’s my inherent creativity that’s one of
my most important values and has allowed me to encourage a different way of thinking
and acting in the financial world.
I’m also a great believer in sharing my knowledge and experience of leadership with the
next generation of women leaders. I’m part of the Committee of 200 – a membership
organisation of the world’s most successful women entrepreneurs and corporate
innovators.
The primary mission of C200 is to celebrate and advance women’s leadership in
business – and I’ve been lucky enough to mentor several young women in leadership
positions. I say lucky because I also learnt a lot from these women.
" " " " " " "With a different generation of business leaders, comes
" " " " " " "different insights and, to some extent, different skills. I
" " " " " " "would really like to see more women of my generation
" " " " " " "being more open to other women and mentoring them –
" " " " " " "because that’s what’s needed. I feel it’s our responsibility
" " " " " " "to share our knowledge and experience: not keep it
" " " " " " "to ourselves."
Heidi Steiger – Board Director"