Females face challenges in leadership including the misconception that only males make effective leaders. There are stereotypes and misconceptions that, if left unchecked and unaddressed, prevent women from gaining leadership positions, or can affect the way followers perceive a woman as a leader.
Despite the widespread push for gender equality, and awareness of sexism, it is difficult for women to obtain and be respected in leadership positions. Studies show that women are still underrepresented in upper management positions especially in major corporations (Northouse, 2016, p. 388). Educated, qualified women are still finding it an uphill battle to break into management because of the misconception that males make better leaders. “As already discussed, women are obtaining undergraduate degrees at a far higher rate than men, and women are earning professional and doctoral degrees at a rate greater than or nearly equal to that of men, but women are still vastly underrepresented in top leadership positions,” (Northouse, 2016, p. 399). Even though women are obtaining degrees and demonstrating that they are just as qualified on paper for these leadership positions, they are being passed over for these prized jobs.
Even when they do manage to obtain a leadership position, it is difficult to obtain respect from followers because, again, of the misconception that males make more effective leaders, or because the women are viewed as not acting “feminine enough”. The Supreme Court Case Price Waterhouse v. Ann Hopkins where Hopkins was denied a partnership position because she acted in too masculine of a way (Northouse, 2016, p. 405). Women are placed in these proverbial boxes where they are expected to act in certain ways and are excluded from leadership positions.
Women face difficulties in the corporate world because of gender bias even in this day and age when awareness of the problem is prevalent. Women have done what they can to overcome the issue by seeking higher education and making sure their qualifications are equal or greater than those male counterparts. It’s important to be qualified for the position on paper, and for females to continue seeking out leadership positions as the misconceptions are slowly fading.
References:
Northouse, P. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Thousand Oaks, California:
Sage.