This article is written by Erica Lavecchia, Team Lead at the Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat. This article is one of the finalists in Apolitical’s 2020 women in government writing competition.

Career advancement is different for men and women. There are several key reasons for this disparity, including cultural norms, biological drivers, and public policies.

This means that women looking to advance their careers need to demonstrate leadership within and amongst their team.

Lucky for us, the animal kingdom abounds with examples of female leadership. Here’re three key lessons we can learn.

Show your knowledge

Did you know that orangutans demonstrate leadership by sharing?

Orangutan mothers share crucial information with their offspring such as how to find food, what to eat, and where to sleep. They are leaders who share timely, relevant information efficiently and effectively. If orangutans didn’t, the next generation would not have the required skills and abilities to survive.

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher whose theories have largely defined Western science and governance, said that people are political animals

If you’re looking to advance your career, be like orangutan mothers!

Knowledge is power, and how you communicate sets you apart. Leaders know that sharing information clearly, concisely, and creatively is crucial for their success. This is important for demonstrating expertise and ensuring buy-in.

In your role, how can you distil technical information, provide your analysis, and forward your recommendations so that it promotes what you want to achieve?

Engage your team

Did you know that the honeybees demonstrate leadership by working together?

Female honeybees are the workers in the hive. They perform many societal functions such as finding food, building and protecting the hive, as well as circulating air by beating their wings. They are leaders who know they need to work together. If female honeybees didn’t, they would be unable to take care of themselves.

Defining and differentiating your skillset shows what you bring to the table. Leaders know that they need to highlight their value-add to their team and executives

If you’re looking to advance your career, be like female honeybees!

Flying solo benefits no one. Leaders know that bringing people together and surrounding themselves with experts is imperative for success. This is important for gaining influence and building legitimacy.

In your role, what can you do to engage siloed teams, share information, and collectively solve problems to achieve the common goal you’re working toward?

Define your value-add – like the emperor penguin!

Did you know that emperor penguins demonstrate leadership by dividing labour?

After laying their egg, the female emperor penguin travels up to 50 miles (80 kilometres) to reach the ocean and fish, while the male takes care of the egg. They are leaders who differentiate their tasks to make their own role. If emperor penguins didn’t, activities would be duplicated and the species’ survival would be in limbo.

If you’re looking to advance your career, be like the female emperor penguin!

Defining and differentiating your skillset shows what you bring to the table. Leaders know that they need to highlight their value-add to their team and executives. This is important for professional development and building complementary teams.

In your role, where can you highlight your unique personality, abilities, and experiences to demonstrate your value-add?

Summing it up

Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher whose theories have largely defined Western science and governance, said that people are political animals.

He was right.

You have the tools to communicate ideas that can transform our domestic and public institutions.

You know how to engage your team by bringing people together to achieve a shared objective.

And you can showcase your value-add to highlight different perspectives that can change our social norms and policies.

Don’t let anyone or anything stand in the way of being the leader that you naturally are. — Erica Lavecchia

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