TIP: Why can’t a woman be more like a male entrepreneur?

Social enterprise is widely recognized as an attractive and worthwhile career for women yet, in the UK, they are far fewer in number than their male counterparts. Why is this? Without doubt, the best female social entrepreneurs with whom I’ve worked have inspired me with their ambition, passion, drive, resilience and unshakable commitment to making a positive and lasting difference – so why aren’t there more of them making their mark?

First, the odds are stacked against women. Plenty of research tells us that are less likely to access business start up advice, receive equity investment, venture capital or backing from angel investors. Women are also less successful than their male counterparts in acquiring financial support from family and friends. Second, social conditioning means that many women lack self belief, and they posses a smaller appetite for risk than men. This fear of failure also impacts on men and women in different ways. In females, lack of confidence can restrict entrepreneurial behaviour. In men, that lack of confidence acts as a spur. They often fight longer and harder than women to find a workable solution. Male pride drives the quest to secure the viability of a social venture; female uncertainty can sometimes undermine it.

Of course, men and women are different. However, that does not mean that if we want to encourage more women entrepreneurs, they have to behave like men. Both genders can learn from the best aspects of each other.

We need to recognise, embrace and celebrate that women have different qualities, approaches and styles in their entrepreneurial behaviour. In turn, women should resist filtering aspects of male behaviour in social enterprise through a negative lens. (Even if they do sometimes pinch our best ideas!) So, let’s move beyond gender stereotypes. In addition to learning from each other, let’s also concentrate help on building skills in men and women that are outside both their comfort zones. The quicker we learn to compliment each other – the faster the social innovation movement will expand.

Eleanor Cappell is Health Launchpad’s first Social Entrepreneur in Residence (SEIR), working in NHS Birmingham East and North to develop social enterprises in the PCT and the local community.