Women's leadership workshop: better self-knowledge for better leadership

The regional workshop on women's leadership in the water and sanitation sector continued on Wednesday, May 29, 2025. This second day was dedicated to self-exploration and mastering essential interpersonal tools for any woman in a leadership role. Through a series of interactive activities, participants deepened their understanding of temperaments, emotions, and leadership styles, combining introspection with practical application.

In the morning, discussions focused on self-awareness: understanding one's temperament (sanguine, choleric, melancholic, phlegmatic) helps to better identify one's natural leadership style. The trainers emphasized that these personality traits can be influenced by emotional wounds, which shape our reactions and decision-making processes. This introspection is crucial for developing leadership that is aligned with one’s core values.

The workshop then introduced practical tools to strengthen assertive communication and manage conflict situations with emotional intelligence. Two key approaches were presented:

• The assertive communication method, which helps express ideas clearly, firmly, and respectfully;
• The DESC model, a structured tool for managing conflicts in four steps: Describe the situation objectively, Express your feelings, Specify your expectations, and Conclude with the benefits of the proposed solution.

Participants had the opportunity to practice these methods through role-play exercises simulating common workplace conflicts and applying leadership-oriented solutions. These scenarios generated insightful discussions in a spirit of trust and mutual respect.

This second day was marked by strong engagement, humility, and a shared desire to learn. By setting aside titles and hierarchy, participants fully embraced their role as learners, fostering authentic dialogue between peers and facilitators.