If God was a woman would the world be at war? (Northouse 2013) states that while women are underrepresented in leadership roles they tend to be more effective as transformational leaders. It is transformational leadership that moves a society forward. The greatest leaders in our history, men or women, are the ones who have transformed us. Might we consider a change in mindset in our social perspective toward the value of women in leadership? Perhaps less is more? While women leaders may be fewer in number, their leadership if often more democratic, more empathetic and more socially conscious.
As women leaders are showcased in our world of multi-media, they become the inspiration for future generations of women leaders. These women leaders also shoulder the responsibility and accountability for their social, economic and political agendas just as their male counterparts. They are now no more immune to public scrutiny than their male constituents in similar roles.
Now in the second decade of the new millennium, we are seeing more and more women leading Fortune 500 firms and representing our government in high ranking positions. Women in political leadership positions such as former Secretaries of State, Hilary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice have demonstrated the effectiveness of women in such political leadership roles. Our United States Supreme Court is now represented by three women justices, Elena Kagan, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor. The pioneering performance of justice Sandra Day O’Connor paved the way for these women in the High Court. Notable women business leaders such as Carly Fiorina, (formerly with Hewlett-Packard), Meg Whitman (Ebay) and Mary T. Barra, CEO of General Motors have demonstrated that women can assume leadership of large organizations and manage companies to success or demise depending on your perspective. Barra, of General Motors has been the target the recent federal investigations into safety recalls among their automobiles. Fiorina and Whitman have gone on to pursue careers in politics as well.
Benazhir Bhutto, a woman, became the first elected leader of a Muslim state, Pakistan. Her role as Prime Minister enabled her to lead change to open up Pakistan to a more social capitalist economy with emphasis on deregulation and a focus on national security. These non-traditional actions being performed by a woman caused her to be exiled from her home country. Upon her return to Pakistan from exile she was later assassinated. While some may see this act of aggression as a reversal to traditional male dominated society in this country, her sacrifice is a testament to the ability of women to facilitate change at the highest levels. Her demand of her government and business leaders demonstrates how men and women can become allies for progressive change. These changes created opportunities that were once inconceivable in a Muslim society.
For every one of these outstanding women leaders, there are hundreds or thousands of males in leadership roles who never obtain this level influence or notoriety. I agree that women deserve a higher proportion of leadership roles in our social, economic and political institutions. However, are we prepared to sacrifice these outstanding examples of leadership as women leaders grow in number and accomplishments become diluted in are social mindset? Will our young women and girls lose their inspiration? Or will the transformational traits of more women as leaders pave the way for a more egalitarian society? Once that focuses on growth and preservation and resists conflict and destruction?
What are your thoughts on the future of women in leadership? Please comment!
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership – Theory and Practice. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Laura Beth Bowman says
You have written an interesting and provocative post. There have been some wonderful female leaders – in world politics as well as in business, and you have highlighted some of their accomplishments beautifully, but I have to take issue with some of your comments.
For example: “For every one of these outstanding women leaders, there are hundreds or thousands of males in leadership roles who never obtain this level influence or notoriety.”
Do you believe that is because the men are doing sub-standard work, or do you believe these women are receiving an inordinate amount of publicity simply because they are females doing work that is traditionally done by males? You cited the three female justices on the US Supreme Court as examples of women who are excelling in high leadership positions. That’s certainly true; however, there are nine justices on the high court. Clearly, the six male Supreme Court justices are also at the top of their game in the legal profession.
Another comment I did not quite understand was in your last paragraph: “I agree that women deserve a higher proportion of leadership roles in our social, economic and political institutions. However, are we prepared to sacrifice these outstanding examples of leadership as women leaders grow in number and accomplishments become diluted in our social mindset?”
To this, I would say that there are already many female leaders in business and in politics that have not “made a name for themselves” on a national level. The playing field is already quite “diluted”, if you choose to look at it that way. There will always be “superstars” of both genders, and there will always be support staff of both genders.
The fact that we have now had successful female politicians who have served on our national political level (and even run for President of the United States) does not detract from the accomplishments of other successful politicians who are currently serving in their home state as Governor, Senator, State Representative, Mayor, or City Council Member (or stay-at-home mom).
To summarize, I believe there are already positive role models, of both genders, to be found everywhere. I hope one day, we will arrive at the point where we view people solely on the basis of their work and their accomplishments – rather than focusing on their gender. Then we, as a society, won’t have to concern ourselves with dictating diversity in the workplace.
References:
Northouse, P. G. (2013). Leadership: Theory and Practice, 6th Ed. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publishing, Inc.
PSU World Campus. (2014). PSYCH 485, Leadership in Work Settings. Retrieved from Penn State University World Campus: https://courses.worldcampus.psu.edu/su14/psych485/002/common/homepage.html