It’s no coincidence that all four of this year’s finalists for the prestigious Global Citizen Prize for World Leader also happen to be women.

While women only lead 21 countries worldwide and have been hit hardest socially and economically during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also behind the most effective response plans, with female-led countries being praised throughout the pandemic as examples to follow.

As the virus continues to threaten the well-being of people around the world, female leaders from New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden to education advocate Malala Yousafzai are centering the needs of the most vulnerable.

The 2020 Global Citizen Prize for World Leader finalists are receiving recognition for similarly demonstrating a commitment to creating a more equal, fair, and just world during a time when people need it the most.

This year’s finalists include Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel; Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva; President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; and Executive Director of UNAIDS, Winnie Byanyima.

But while women lead around the world with a variety of priorities as their goals, strong women leaders may have one trait in common, according to Winny Shen, associate professor of organization studies at York University in Toronto. Women’s success as leaders often comes down to how they go about tackling problems.

Research shows that, in decision-making, women lean on a more interpersonal approach whereas men are often more task-oriented, Shen explained.

“More diverse perspectives may tend to be shared when women are at the table, which could potentially lead to more innovative solutions,” she told Global Citizen.

Empowering more women to receive leadership opportunities requires a commitment to including multiple female candidates for roles, and making gender-inclusive hiring the standard. When only one woman is considered for a position, it is very unlikely that she will be selected, Shen explained.

Read the full article about women leaders by Leah Rodriguez at Global Citizen.