Question

The increasing number of women in leadership positions and women in academia brought about by dramatic changes in American society have fueled the now robust scholarly interest in the study of leadership and gender. This chapter explores empirical evidence related to the issues of gender and leadership by discussing the gender gap in leadership and prominent explanations for it, and addressing approaches to promoting women in leadership.

1) What are the strengths and criticism of this approach?

2) What are the differences between female and male leadership styles?

3) Describe the Leadership Labyrinth and provide examples?

Answer 1

1. Strengths and weakness of the approach:

Strengths:

1. Gender diversity means more diversity in thinking which can lead to better problem solving. It also provides equal opportunity for everyone to become a leader.
2. Female workers are considered to be more honest and trusted compared to male workers. Hence the decisions taken will have a moral value. This will also help in company success.
3. Women employees’ act as better mentors and counselors for the employees. This helps in improving the career growth for the employees and also job satisfaction.
4. Today’s women workforce are considered to be more educated and qualified compared to men. Hence this can help the women to act as a better tool for the growth of the company.
5. It also provides better financial results for the company.

                    Critics:

1. At times women can become jealous even though they might be friendly in the beginning. But once when you start succeeding, it might change the attitude of the women bosses.
2. It is difficult for the women to succeed. The women may push down the fellow women employees down for their own success.
3. Women employees may feel tired very soon. They may experience stress very soon. So it might be difficult for the women employees to give their full in the position they handle. Whereas men employees may be physically energetic when compared to women and hence can work for more extended hours.

1. Differences between male and female leadership styles.

• Communication style: women’s style of leadership tends to be friendly, cooperative and also participatory. Whereas men’s style tends to be commanding and control oriented.
• System of rewarding: women always encourage their employees in performing better and also increase their satisfaction. This helps them in getting their own rewards. Whereas men follow the strategy of rewarding for succeeding and imposing penalty for failing.
• Self branding: men usually disclose the secrets about their success in their roles. Whereas women tend to be modest and silent and don’t disclose anything
• Direction: men usually provide direction to their employees whereas women employees encourage their co workers to find their own direction.

1. Leadership labyrinth and examples:

Women’s leadership style is characterized by more of innovation and trust and honesty. There are many obstacles for women leaders to succeed in their position. The following are the reasons:

• Female employees promotions tend to be very slow when compared to men even though they are equally qualified.
• There can be resistance to women becoming leaders because organization can feel that women employees tend to be pushy, selfish than male managers. Hence this will reduce the chance of females becoming managers.
• Sometimes women employees may not satisfy the qualities the organization can expect from them like controlling, assertion etc. this can again be an obstacle.
• Women employees need to give importance to their family as well. Hence this can interrupt their career growth from becoming leaders or growing to top positions.