Here’s a wizard idea: set free your inner Dorothy 

We often hear about “empowered women” but rarely “empowered men”. It’s a well-meaning phrase, but here’s the twist: when you’re empowered, it suggests it’s up to someone else to give you power. So, if women are empowered, it implies they’re waiting for a nod, a green light, or a pat on the back from someone else. But what if I told you you’re not “empowered” and don’t need to be because you already have the power?

Think about it: we don’t refer to “empowered men” because it’s assumed they already have power. This double standard can leave women feeling like they need a special invitation to play the game. No wonder so many struggle with imposter syndrome. But you don’t need anyone’s permission to shine – you need to recognize and act on your inherent leadership potential.

Leadership isn’t about being above others but guiding and inspiring those around you, including yourself. It isn’t about a title; it’s about action. You don’t need to be a CEO to be a leader. You don’t need people reporting to you to be the boss of you. You lead whenever you inspire someone, make a tough decision, or stand up for what’s right.

Take Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. She was always capable of returning home. The power was in her ruby slippers. Yet, she journeyed all the way to the wizard, thinking he held the secret to her return. Spoiler alert: Dorothy didn’t need the wizard. She was the wizard all along, with the power to go home at her feet. Similarly, the leadership skills we seek are already within us and our teams. We just need to recognize and harness them.

The skewed narrative around empowerment and leadership distorts approaches to professional development. We see women getting special leadership training, as though leadership is something they need to learn because it’s an exotic skill rather than an inherent trait. It’s a bit like telling a fish it needs to learn to swim. On the other hand, men receive standard management training. Why the disparity? This highlights the need to recognize that leadership qualities like empathy, decision-making, and team building are not gender specific. They are human skills that are deeply important for any leader.