As a business coach, I spend a lot of time encouraging my clients to rely on their gut when making decisions. However, it is just as important for women entrepreneurs to believe that they were born with brains that are perfect for excelling in entrepreneurship too.
Researchers tell us that male and female brains are different, but that does not mean one gender's is better in business than the other. (That myth was clearly promoted by dinosaurs afraid of the competition). As a matter of fact, the more one delves into the research of the differences, one might easily come to the conclusion that the female brain has definite advantages for succeeding in the 2014 business world. Let me explain.
"Scientists have discovered approximately 100 gender differences in the brain", says Gregory L. Jantz, PhD. and these differences help identify why men and women often act and think differently (notice I did not say better or worse). One major difference is that men "utilize nearly seven times more gray matter for activity while female brains utilize nearly ten times more white matter." Jantz explains this to mean that gray matter is information and action-processing centers of the brain which explains why men are more able to fixate than women. In other words, why men can't watch TV and talk to you at the same time. White matter, he explains, is the networking grid connecting the "brain's gray matter with other processing centers" allowing women to transition more easily from one task to another. Yes, that's right, your white matter allows you to be a better multi-tasker than most men. It is not, however, just the composition of the brain that is different in genders. It is also the chemistry. Briefly, although both male and female brains process the same neurochemicals, they do so at different levels. The dominant neurochemicals are 'serotonin, which allows us to sit still; testosterone, our sex and aggression chemical; estrogen, a female growth and reproductive chemical; and oxytocin, a bonding-relationship chemical." How the different genders process these chemicals has a lot to do with how we act.
But this is enough biology for one blog. The takeaway is that women's brains provide major advantages for those women who choose entrepreneurship.
(1) Entrepreneurs must be multi-taskers. The fact is launching a business, whether a sole proprietorship or a multi-staffed organization requires the ability to be adept at many skills all at the same time. This does not mean that an entrepreneur must or should tackle ever task required to run the business. What it does mean is that a successful entrepreneur must know what tasks are required in order to get the job done. This talent is most important at the startup stage when hiring is just beginning. The entrepreneur that can visualize the big picture and map out the steps to get her there will win the race. Focus is, of course, very important at many stages of business but it also can hamper the need to keep moving forward that a new business requires. Slow and steady still can win the race.
(2) Entrepreneurs must be relationship builders. Everything and everyone in business is in sales - like it or not - if you own a business you are in sales. The extra oxytocin in your brain gives you the ability to excel in relationship building - so use it. You don't have to be aggressive to win at sales and building relationships. You just need to rely on your innate ability to read emotions and adapt accordingly. The estrogen in your brain also allows you to be able to nurture relationships that will benefit your business. Those relationships are with staff, vendors, customers and the community at large. Never underestimate your ability to win friends and influence people.
(3) Entrepreneurs know that language matters and because women's brains "demonstrate activity across both hemispheres of the brain they typically show strong language skills", says Dr. Geary. Language is critically important for communication in business. Women know intuitively what language to use with what client and they regulate their tone and emotion while speaking in order to get their point across. There is nothing more important in business than making your point except for being a good listener and women's brains help them achieve this task as well.
Women entrepreneurs may have some mountains to climb but relying on their brains will get them to the top.
