I recently read an article that discussed the traits that are undervalued of women in leadership positions. Llopis (2014) outlined several key traits including opportunity-driven, strategic, passionate, and entrepreneurial, and purposeful and meaningful, as traits that make women unique in leadership. Northouse(2013) may not outline these traits in the same manner, but he too expressed that effective leadership can be present in both a male or a female.
(Forbes.com)
Small differences in traits such as integrity, assertiveness, and risk taking have been found between a male and female leader, however men tend to be quicker to ask for what they want (Northouse, 2013). Often, when women possess these traits that are viewed as negative traits and unbecoming of a female. However, overall, research is telling us that both women and men possess effective leadership styles that are not very different from one another.
Although, I must say, I applaud Llopis (2014) and his effort to point out some of the key traits that we often miss in female leaders. He based his opinion of women in leadership on his experience, but I tend to agree with what he has witnessed. Women will likely look at the big picture and see the points that others do not see (Llopis, 2014). Women also tend to be stereotyped as emotional leaders. However, do not mixed up “passion in the pursuit of excellence”, as emotional weakness (Llopis, 2014). Women tend to want to get this done and make their mark, thus they passionately pursue new possibilities and opportunities. Could this be due to the stereotypes that women face, when in leadership positions?
A Gallup poll, recently discovered that if employees were given the choice between a male or female boss, they would lean toward a male boss (Baxter, 2013). Why is this? Baxter (2013) contends that it is due to the view that women are followers, whereas men are leaders. Is it possible that psychologically we have created a norm that places women below men? Masculine traits of leadership such as creative, commanding, or masterful, do not fit with our view of a woman (Baxter, 2013). There are four roles that women become trapped in, which have been termed “role traps” and include: “the pet, the mother, the battle-axe, and the seductress” (Baxter, 2013).
The pet is the sweet and cute girl who we all like and is the bosses pet. The mother is the frumpy and mumsy schoolmistress in a traditional form. The seductress knows how to play the field with her witchy and man-eating ways, whereas the battle-axe takes on a tough, mean and bossy approach, much like a male. Sadly, as Baxter (2013) stated, these role traps are subconscious and hard to break, which creates a barrier for women. The article by Llopis (2014) stated that women are strategic, and another by Baxter (2013) said that strategy can be viewed as a sly act to control. Are women passionate about their leadership or flirty? Are we placing stereotypes on women that are not accurate and how do we break that mold and move forward with women in leadership?
Baxter (2013) asserted that “we have been raised in a culture that has historically constructed successful leaders as male and the “great man” theory of leadership prevails in the western world”. Breaking down these masculine archetypes and understanding that women in leadership are not much different then men, is very important in continued leadership success and organizational development (Baxter, 2013).
References
Baxter, J. (2013, December 9). How to beat the female leadership stereotypes. Retrieved from The Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2013/dec/09/beat-female-leadership-stereotype
Llopis, G. (2014, February 3). The Most Undervalued Traits Of Women. Retrieved from Forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2014/02/03/the-most-undervalued-leadership-traits-of-women/
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage.
Your blog reminded me of a commercial I saw for Pantene shampoo recently.
http://youtu.be/kOjNcZvwjxI (check it out). Behaviors in men and women are the same however interpreted differently based on stereotypes. Where men’s behavior is seen as dedicated, a woman’s is selfish. A man’s style is “neat” and a woman is vain…and so it goes. The role traps…
Your point that “Women will likely look at the big picture and see the points that others do not see” (Llopis, 2014) struck me as well. It is often the case when a male boss is rolling out a new strategy or other initiative and the women in the room ask questions that are “bigger picture type questions. I have seen this lead to the male boss becoming defensive (maybe because he hadn’t thought of it or interpreted the question as criticism) and agressive. At that point either women go quiet or get into an argument that results in a negative and unforgettable exchange with their male boss.
“Women receive less formal training and have fewer development opportunities at work than men, both of which likely are related to prejudice against female leaders” (Northouse, 2013, p.356). This reminded me of my own career. I have seen men be “tapped” for roles that they were not qualified for because they showed potential. I, however, have always been interviewed for positions and promoted because of my performance. This leads to a HUGE wedge between genders. My view is that it comes down to trust. Men have more trust in other men because they understand them.
Northouse, P.G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
I thought that your blog was very interesting to read. I thought that it was interesting to learn that men ask for things that they want more quickly than women do. Personally, I tend to wait to ask for something that I want. I do not want to look like I am being pushy. I also agree with Llopis (2014) that women are passionate leaders. I have a female boss who is passionate about her job. She is excited to come to work every day and enjoys being our boss. I also thought that the poll that you mentioned was interesting. I would also choose a male boss over a female boss if I had a chance. The reason for this is because I think men are more aggressive than women and are not as emotional as women. Every boss that I have had has been a women. It would be nice to have a male boss and see how they are as a leader.
References:
Llopis, G. (2014, February 3). The Most Undervalued Traits Of Women. Retrieved from Forbes.com: http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2014/02/03/the-most-undervalued-leadership-traits-of-women/