scholarly journals An Evolutionary Explanation for the Female Leadership Paradox

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer E. Smith ◽  
Christopher R. von Rueden ◽  
Mark van Vugt ◽  
Claudia Fichtel ◽  
Peter M. Kappeler
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Group Decisions ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Collective Group ◽  
Gender Groups ◽  
Comprehensive Framework

Social influence is distributed unequally between males and females in many mammalian societies. In human societies, gender inequality is particularly evident in access to leadership positions. Understanding why women historically and cross-culturally have tended to be under-represented as leaders within human groups and organizations represents a paradox because we lack evidence that women leaders consistently perform worse than men. We also know that women exercise overt influence in collective group-decisions within small-scale human societies, and that female leadership is pervasive in particular contexts across non-human mammalian societies. Here, we offer a transdisciplinary perspective on this female leadership paradox. Synthesis of social science and biological literatures suggests that females and males, on average, differ in why and how they compete for access to political leadership in mixed-gender groups. These differences are influenced by sexual selection and are moderated by socioecological variation across development and, particularly in human societies, by culturally transmitted norms and institutions. The interplay of these forces contributes to the emergence of female leaders within and across species. Furthermore, females may regularly exercise influence on group decisions in less conspicuous ways and different domains than males, and these underappreciated forms of leadership require more study. We offer a comprehensive framework for studying inequality between females and males in access to leadership positions, and we discuss the implications of this approach for understanding the female leadership paradox and for redressing gender inequality in leadership in humans.

Is There a Female Leadership Advantage?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn R. Offermann ◽  
Kira Foley
Keyword(s):  
Women Workers ◽  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Diverse Workforce ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Organizational Work ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

Women have historically been underrepresented in leadership positions across private and public organizations around the globe. Gender inequality and gender discrimination remain very real challenges for women workers in general, and especially so for women striving for leadership positions. Yet organizational research suggests that female leaders may bring a unique constellation of leadership-related traits, attributes, and behaviors to the workplace that may provide advantages to their organizations. Specific cultural and organizational work contexts may facilitate or inhibit a female leadership advantage. Reaping the benefits of female leadership relies on an organization’s ability to combat the numerous barriers female leaders face that male leaders often do not, including gender-based discrimination, implicit bias, and unfair performance evaluations. Despite these challenges, the literature suggests that a reasoned consideration of the positive aspects of women’s leadership is not only warranted but is instructive for organizations hoping to reap the benefits of a diverse workforce.

scholarly journals A Female Leadership Trust Advantage in Times of Crisis: Under What Conditions?

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-231
Author(s):  
Corinne Post ◽  
Ioana M. Latu ◽  
Liuba Y. Belkin
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Leadership Behaviors ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Relational Leadership ◽  
Organizational Crisis ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Qualities ◽  
Organizational Crises ◽  
Behavioral Trust ◽  
Relational Behaviors

We examined differences in trust for men and women leaders who adopt relational behaviors during an organizational crisis. We addressed two important shortcomings of previous research. First, we independently manipulated leader gender and leader relational behaviors (interpersonal emotion management) to identify their separate and interacting influences on trust outcomes, which may lead to a leadership advantage for women. Second, we examined how uncertainty about crisis outcomes affects the strength of this advantage. We operationalized trust as both evaluative and behavioral (investment in a company led by the leader). We found support from two experiments with women and men ( N = 412 and N = 400) for the idea of a female leadership trust advantage in times of crisis. And we showed that the advantage is uniquely attributable to female leaders’ use of relational behaviors and is manifested only when crisis consequences are known. We observed these effects for both evaluative trust (Studies 1 and 2) and behavioral trust (Study 2). We invite more research on the conditions that contribute to the female leadership advantage, the gendered nature of leadership behaviors during organizational crises, and the relational leadership qualities that help restore trust in organizations during uncertain times. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684319828292

Ladies Leading Ladies Who Lead Ladies

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Ashley Gambino ◽  
Rachel Flemming
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Personal Perspective ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Life Balance ◽  
Global Crisis ◽  
Extant Literature

During the COVID-19 pandemic, women in academic leadership positions were faced with an unprecedented career challenge. While data previously existed to show that female leaders face an uphill battle in obtaining promotions, tenure, and leaderships positions within academia, the COVID-19 crisis that ensued within higher education created an unstable work-life balance, inequitable work expectations, and a need for increased psychosocial support for these already disadvantaged leaders. This chapter will explore the power and challenge of women mentoring other women in the midst of a global crisis. Using a personal perspective from a mentor and mentee, the authors will comment on current and extant literature on the challenges facing women leaders in academia.

scholarly journals “I Want to be a Leader, But Men Are Better Than Women in Leadership Positions”

Hawwa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-50
Author(s):  
Rana al-Mutawa
Keyword(s):  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Women In Leadership ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Female Perceptions ◽  
Ideal Woman ◽  
Women’S Perceptions ◽  
The Public Sphere

Abstract This research paper investigates female perceptions of female leadership in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where, particularly recently, state feminism has supported women’s occupation of leadership positions. It thus explores how state feminism’s portrayal of the ideal woman in leadership has impacted Emirati women’s perceptions of female leaders. A survey comprising 350 female Emirati students was undertaken, and results were supported by interviews. Findings suggest that although 93 percent of respondents “wanted to” or “probably wanted to” be leaders, they nevertheless endorsed “sexist” stereotypes and legitimizing myths. These contradictions are due, most likely, to ambivalent messages disseminated by the state and by society at large about female leaders. This research postulates that, while women have gained more agency in the public sphere through occupying leadership positions, their own perceptions and portrayals of acceptable gender roles are complex and ambivalent.

scholarly journals If Women Lead Good and Deal Better Then Why is Women Leadership Still a Snake and Ladder Game?

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanusree Chakraborty ◽  
Raiswa Saha
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Leadership Studies ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Organizational Growth ◽  
Women Leadership ◽  
Women In Business ◽  
Changing Patterns ◽  
Leadership Changes ◽  
Women's Role

Combining the conceptualizations of research in women leadership, changes have been typically found in the literature which shows a transformational perspective of women in business settings. Despite the changing patterns of political growth and technological advancements, women are still at the backdrop of business houses which creates an open forum of discussion for the backlash against the female leadership. Close evidences of women leadership studies revealed an enhanced organizational growth with leadership characteristics depicted by the females. With the reflections of feminine behavior as a stereotype has to challenge the societies visualization and indeed form a competitive symbol to address the futuristic commitments and journey towards equality. Corporate life is historically been targeted towards male community in terms of assertiveness, confidence, availability Thus, the manifestation of the leadership concept has naturally been shaped by gender roles and values. With the emergence of women leadership concept in 1970’s there can be seen a progression towards women’s role in the business life which has markedly made a difference in the leadership school of thought. Women, who have traditionally been put aside compared to men in leadership positions, have emerged as leaders in some societies more than others. With this background, the present study attempts to compile the factors that takes women to a much elevated position in terms of capabilities and makes her must probable to higher steps in the organizational ladder, on the other hand the study also tries to probe into the factors that pulls her legs down the ladder. What makes women leaders still in a snake and ladder game?

When Do Family Ties Matter? The Duration of Female Suffrage and Women’s Path to High Political Office

2018 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 695-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Baturo ◽  
Julia Gray
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Empirical Modeling ◽  
Women In Politics ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Political Leaders ◽  
Family Ties ◽  
Political Office ◽  
Heads Of State ◽  
Female President

While the percentage of female heads of state in the world has increased to around 10 percent in the 2010s, a female president or prime minister still remains an exception. Recent scholarship has proposed a number of explanations behind this phenomenon, but there exist important gaps. The contribution of this paper is threefold. First, we use new and comprehensive data to undertake a systematic examination of the differences in the personal, education, and career backgrounds between female and male effective political leaders from 1960 to 2010. We find that female leaders are as qualified as men. Second, because the phenomenon of female leadership is still a rare occurrence, we argue that this fact must be accounted for in empirical modeling. Third, we show that many female leaders tend to acquire the necessary resources, support, and name recognition through political dynasties. To that end, women leaders need to rely on family ties more than men do. However, the importance of such connections attenuates when female suffrage has been in place for longer, and citizens are more open to women in politics.

Stressing the Advantages of Female Leadership Can Place Women at a Disadvantage

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joris Lammers ◽  
Anne Gast
Keyword(s):  
Affirmative Action ◽  
Gender Inequality ◽  
Leadership Skills ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Popular Media ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Business World ◽  
Dominant Position ◽  
Related Idea ◽  
The Future

Abstract. Women are still underrepresented in management and men hold the majority of higher positions. Nonetheless, one often-heard claim in popular media is that female people-centered leadership skills (empathy, communication, etc.) are a better match for the business world – especially in the future. Furthermore, a related idea is that women may use this advantage to take over men’s dominant position in leadership. Four studies show that such claims paradoxically maintain gender inequality, by undermining support for affirmative action to reduce female underrepresentation in leadership. Where earlier research shows that positive stereotypes can hurt women by suggesting that they are unqualified for leadership, the current findings show that even positive stereotypes that claim that women are particularly well qualified for leadership can hurt women in their chances for gaining leadership positions. Although it is good to highlight the advantages of female leadership, exaggerated and sensationalist claims contribute to a perpetuation of gender inequality.

scholarly journals ‘Let Us Roll Up Our Sleeves’: Amplifying Female Academic Leadership Through Collaboration and Mentorship

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Poland ◽  
Jo Anne Durovich ◽  
Rachel Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Academic Leadership ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Relationship Building ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Leadership Positions ◽  
Catholic Sisters ◽  
The Future ◽  
History Of

The strengths of female leadership are illustrated through the 400 year history of the Catholic Sisters of St. Joseph (CSSJ) and their commitment to their charism which focuses on unity, inclusion and relationship building. Within the colleges they established, the Sisters have demonstrated their commitment to collaboration in their many leadership positions - both formal and informal - within the academy. This article focuses on the leadership of the Sisters as demonstrable examples of female leadership within academia, and makes suggestions for carrying the charism of the CSSJ into the future, expanding their focus on inclusivity to incorporate a broad expanse of female leaders.

scholarly journals Citra Kepemimpinan Wanita dalam Naskah Hikayat Pandu dan Naskah Dewi Maleka: Kajian Sastra Bandingan

Manuskripta ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clara Shinta Anindita Apriyadi
Keyword(s):  
Women Leaders ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Know How ◽  
The Past ◽  
Ancient Manuscripts ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Female Leader ◽  
Ancient Manuscript

Women leaders as one form of emancipation, apparently already existed from the past. It can be found in ancient manuscripts. Ancient manuscripts can be our bridge in communicating with the past. Through the ancient manuscript we can know how life in the past happened. Therefore, ancient manuscripts should be kept and cared for, and preserved their contents in order to be a contribution of insight today. The values contained in the ancient manuscript are varied, one of which is the value of leadership. The value of female leadership is found in Hikayat Pandu and the manuscript of Dewi Maleka that will be the corpus of this study. The value of leadership or the image of leadership that serves as the basis of classification is Astabrata teaching. The aim of this research is to compare the leadership image of the female leaders from the Hikayat Pandu, the goddess Lara Amis and the female leaders of the goddess Malacca script. The method of research used is the comparative literary method. This research resulted in a comparison of leadership imagery between female leader figures derived from the Malay version (Hikayat Pandu) and Javanese version (Dewi Maleka) script. It can therefore be concluded that there are similarities and differences in the image of female leadership between Dewi Lara Amis and Dewi Melaka. Research into the comparison of leadership imagery, especially on female leaders has not been done in Hikayat Pandu and the manuscript goddess Maleka. Thus, this study presents a new discussion that can be an additional knowledge for readers.  --- Pemimpin wanita sebagai salah satu bentuk emansipasi, ternyata sudah ada dari masa lalu. Hal tersebut dapat ditemukan dalam naskah kuno. Naskah kuno dapat menjadi jembatan kita dalam berkomunikasi dengan masa lalu. Melalui naskah kuno tersebut kita dapat mengetahui bagaimana kehidupan di masa lalu itu terjadi. Oleh karena itu, naskah kuno sudah seharusnya dijaga dan dirawat, serta dilestarikan isinya supaya dapat menjadi sumbangan wawasan di zaman sekarang. Nilai-nilai yang terkandung dalam naskah kuno beraneka ragam, salah satunya ialah nilai kepemimpinan. Nilai kepemimpinan wanita ditemukan pada naskah Hikayat Pandu dan naskah Dewi Maleka yang akan menjadi korpus pada penelitian ini. Nilai kepemimpinan atau citra kepemimpinan yang dijadikan landasan sebagai dasar klasifikasi yaitu ajaran astabrata. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah melakukan perbandingan citra kepemimpinan dari tokoh pemimpin wanita dari naskah Hikayat Pandu yaitu tokoh Dewi Rara Amis dan pemimpin wanita dari naskah Dewi Maleka yaitu tokoh Dewi Maleka. Metode penelitian yang digunakan ialah metode deskriptif analisis dan teori yang digunakan ialah teori sastra bandingan. Penelitian ini menghasilkan perbandingan citra kepemimpinan antara tokoh pemimpin wanita yang berasal dari naskah versi Melayu (Hikayat Pandu) dan naskah versi Jawa (Dewi Maleka). Dengan demikian dapat disimpulkan bahwa terdapat persamaan dan perbedaan citra kepemimpinan wanita antara Dewi Rara Amis dan Dewi Maleka. Persamaan dan perbedaannya, yaitu Dewi Maleka memiliki delapan klasifikasi dalam astabrata, sedangkan Dewi Rara Amis hanya memiliki lima klasifikasi dalam astabrata antara lain ambeging surya, ambeging rembulan, ambeging angin, ambeging banyu, dan ambeging bumi.

scholarly journals Women in power: Female leadership and public health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Coscieme ◽  
Lorenzo Fioramonti ◽  
Lars F Mortensen ◽  
Kate E Pickett ◽  
Ida Kubiszewski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Women Leaders ◽  
Female Leadership ◽  
Female Leaders ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Per Capita ◽  
Restrictive Measures ◽  
Better Than

Some countries have been more successful than others at dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. When we explore the different policy approaches adopted as well as the underlying socio-economic factors, we note an interesting set of correlations: countries led by women leaders have fared significantly better than those led by men on a wide range of dimensions concerning the global health crisis. In this paper, we analyze available data for 35 countries, focusing on the following variables: number of deaths per capita due to COVID-19, number of days with reported deaths, peaks in daily deaths, deaths occurred on the first day of lockdown, and excess mortality. Results show that countries governed by female leaders experienced much fewer COVID-19 deaths per capita and were more effective and rapid at flattening the epidemic's curve, with lower peaks in daily deaths. We argue that there are both contingent and structural reasons that may explain these stark differences. First of all, most women-led governments were more prompt at introducing restrictive measures in the initial phase of the epidemic, prioritizing public health over economic concerns, and more successful at eliciting collaboration from the population. Secondly, most countries led by women are also those with a stronger focus on social equality, human needs and generosity. These societies are more receptive to political agendas that place social and environmental wellbeing at the core of national policymaking.

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