Question

Dr. Livingston described research on gender in organizations and gave ideas about how women can advance as leaders. According to Dr. Livingston, and the Hickman (2016) text, why do women face backlash when taking leadership positions? What are some ways organizations can overcome these barriers?

Answer 1

Women are not new to the leadership roles but still they are outnumbered in leadership roles compared to men in all the industries.Gender equality is very important in this society which is stereotyped one where women leaders are still a majority.There is  prejudiced opinion that will prevail towards a certain group of people (based on gender, religion, race etc.), typically posing as a barrier for them to further develop their careers.This concept is known as Glass ceiling.There will be a certain group or team which will try to bring hindrance in women empoerment or in their career development.Women have to be more visble and transparent at the work where they are given the freedom to work and demonstrate their skills and also where they will be able to build a good relationship with the employees and the top management and also they will be able to bring team workto accomplish their missions.According to studies Ryan and Haslam, found that women candidates are having high risk in their positions and risk in failure.

Barriers which Women have to overcome :

1. Structural Barriers
2. Individual mindsets
3. Institutional mindsets
4. Lifestyle choices

Structural Barriers are barriers or the obstacles which still women have to cross which is the structure formation of many activities which are still known as Men Domain and here women are not treated equal or they are not invited.There are many informal meeting or events where the we will be able to build a good and strong relationship with clients.Individual mindsets are the thoughts or mindset of women where they will have to overcome many hurdles such as socialization pressures, lack of confidence, risk aversion, work-life balance .Institutional Mindsets are the mindsets of the society which includes Stereotyping and gender biased.This process is known as Role Incongruity.It means if someone beliefs about a certain group compared to the specific role.Still in this prejudustic society people think that the traits required for leadership are masculine traits which include dominance,independence,competitiveness and aggression and they think women traits conflict with the leadership traits.Lifestyle Choices are the the gap between the gender that is there is still a choice to be made.It include work-life balance, family choices and breadwinner/caregiver priorities.These are not only choices but the barriers which is an obstacle for women

Solutions to Overcome the Issue:

• Flexible options:Organizations need to recognize that women who continue to work from home.Workplace policies should to implemented which will that ease family demands, like child care programs, can free women up to take on more-demanding professional roles. And there will Work life balance.
• Try to build a strong relation with other employees through formal and informal communication.In sterotyped society the masculine definition of leadership makes many women’s contributions overlooked or undervalued. Hence the organisation should try to give training which includes inspirational and inviting participatory decision making this will elavate the benefit of women
• Workplace culture to should align behaviors, systems, and processes with which should have gender equal values and behaviours ,by this organizations can minimize the risk women who step into the spotlight .
• Try to update the anti harassement policies and Anti discrimination policies
• There should be a experienced mentor to guide in the organization.Mentors can be questioned on how to ask for pay rises within a company and advice on how to tackle any issues relating to inequality.They are channels through which organisation and women employees are have a communication
• Promote Gender Roles that is whenever the promotion is happening there should be an equality in the gender and the promotion where both men and women will get a chance to compete
• Proper training should be provided to both employees and management level
• Every cases which are happening in the organisation regarding discrimination or inequality have to documented and properly scrutinised.