Workshop Highlights Need for Positive Leadership in Combatting Toxic Workplaces

Islamabad, Aug 1 (Alliance News): An intensive workshop on women’s leadership, titled “Women Leading Change: Shaping the Future,” was held on Thursday, hosted by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).

The event featured distinguished speakers such as Nishaa Ishtiak, Director of Women Development; Irum Khan, Corporate Trainer; Sadaf Asim Abbasi, former senior vice-president of the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries; Sumera Azam, Additional Director at FIA; Dr. Aneel Salman, Chair of Economic Security; and Siddique Humayun, Director of Advocacy at IPRI.

The workshop brought together a diverse audience including professional women, students, educators, bureaucrats, researchers, and academics. The focus was on the importance of personal leadership, self-awareness, and embracing cultural heritage as a foundation for leadership.

A key topic was the need to address ‘toxic leadership’ in workplaces by using impactful visual representations of positive leadership. The speakers introduced the concept of a “visual hammer” to challenge and change negative dynamics.

They also discussed the role of bounded rationality—cognitive limitations in decision-making—and urged women to overcome these constraints with resilience and courage.

Participants were encouraged to achieve long-term goals through daily practices of drive, direction, and discipline. The workshop highlighted that diverse experiences enrich decision-making processes and emphasized the need for strategic planning, technical analysis, and operational understanding in effective leadership.

The speakers cautioned against information overload and stressed the importance of using data strategically.

Adaptability and creativity were underscored as essential traits for modern leaders. The discussion also addressed the need to change the narrative that portrays women as manipulative and men as tactful by increasing female representation in leadership roles.

Strategic communication was identified as crucial for maintaining credibility and fostering trust. The workshop concluded with participants committing to implement the strategies discussed and support each other in their leadership journeys.