Chapter 12- Women and Men as Leaders
This chapter discusses the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles compared to men. There are four explanations the book explores for why this occurs- sex differences in human capital investments, the leadership styles of women and men, men are naturally dominant, and the discrimination against female leaders.
The first explanation, sex differences in human capital investments, explains that it is possible that women are underrepresented in leadership roles because women’s human capital investments in education, training, and work experiences are lower than men’s. However, the section goes on to explain that in most cases this might not be true. For example, women now are attending college more than men and women possess 51% of bachelor’s degrees. When women change jobs, they often do so for family obligations so they are willing to take a less prestigious position or a pay cut, while men often change jobs for a promotion or increase in pay. Another argument for this explanation is the “female choice” proposition that employed women do not seek leadership positions because they worry that the demands of such a job would take them away from their family. What is your opinion on this explanation? Are there other differences in responsibilities or interests of men and women that could explain this gender gap? Where have you seen any of these differences in human capital investments in either your own experiences or observations of others?
The next explanation looks at differences in leadership styles of men and women, and suggests that it is possible that a man’s leadership style is more effective than a woman’s. Leadership style is defined as stable patterns of behavior of leaders. Women are more interpersonally oriented than task oriented, which men are more likely to focus on. Women use more of a transformational leadership style, while men are more transactional or laissez-faire. According to the text, a women’s style, in theory, should be more effective than a typical man’s leadership style. What do you believe is more effective in a leader- focus on interpersonal relationships or tasks? Transformational or transactional leadership?
To review, the chapter covers the four major reasons explored for the inequality of leadership positions among men and women- sex differences in human capital investments, differences in leadership styles, men are naturally dominant, and discrimination against female leaders. Can you think of any other possible reasons for this underrepresentation of women in leadership positions? What is your opinion on the issue? Do you believe this issue will change at all in the future, or do you believe women will always be underrepresented in leadership roles because of these four reasons?
I think the gender gap is strongly because women generally are more family oriented and nurturing than men. It may be bold to say that, but I believe that when it comes down to it, women will tend to turn to their family than they job. I’ve seen this within my family and in some others as well. In those instances, it has been the wife giving up her job to move to where her husband has been offered a new job.
ReplyDeleteI think it is important that there be a balance between interpersonal relationships and tasks. Having good relationships is very beneficial; however, without a sense of focus on a task, nothing will get done. Regarding transformational and transactional leadership,
I believe transformational leadership is more effective, as it enables others to be more effective because their skills and strengths are further developed. Transactional leadership may be more effective in certain situations, but overall, I believe transformational is the most effective.
I think there is a lot of pressure put on women to obtain leadership positions, and that pressure has an effect on the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions. I feel like some women take that pressure as a challenge, yet others take it as a threat and back down. I think it may change in the future, but I think that it will be a while, possibly decades, before any dramatic change occurs.
I would agree that the gender gap would have to deal with family obligations. In general, women tend to give up a career to tend to family needs. Maternity leave is a prime example that must make a difference when looking at promotions or getting a new job.
ReplyDeleteEven though it can be difficult, I think a balance between task and relationships is the most efficient way to lead. From personal experience, it is difficult to work with someone who will not stay on task, but it is even more difficult to work with someone who one does not have a good relationship with.
I think women are making progress with leadership positions. However, I am not sure if it will ever be equal with men. It seems there is still a "glass ceiling" that women are unable to rise above, in many aspects. In my opinion, women will continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles for quite a while.
I would agree with the first explanation about human capital investments. It seems that women not taken as seriously as men when looking at leadership roles, but now a days it is becoming more and more common for women to step up into leadership roles. Looking at history, the gender gap can be attributed to men having the responsibility of providing for the family and it common for the wives to stay home with the children. This has shifted as well because there are stay at home fathers now a days.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with the saying that a balance between task and relational leadership but it is difficult to do. I think that staying on task and getting things completed is crucial but at least trying to have some sort of relationship is important as well.
I think that women will never be seen as equal as men in leadership roles but there has been a a lot of progress and change towards that. Women are more willing to at least try to obtain leadership roles and are not as afraid to share their opinions on the matter.
I would agree for the most part that many times women change their jobs and what they are doing in life in order to suit their family. However, I know that not every woman functions this way. I think it is completely defendable that women don’t take certain positions because they worry that the demands would take them away from their family. During the Dr. Kimmel lecture, he mentioned the “second shift” and uttered the words that “women can’t have it all” because they have the second shift where they are expected to take care of the family and the home. A woman cannot have the perfect job and the perfect home life at the same time. I think that this plays a huge role in the gender gap. Also, women are the ones who get pregnant and have their jobs affected the most by giving birth. She always needs to consider that when job searching, and managers might be less willing to take on someone who is either pregnant or in the stage of life where they might have children (even though that is illegal, it is something that companies must think about). I saw this play in when my roommate and I were talking about life plans. She had decided she did not want to even go to law school because she knew that to be the type of lawyer she wanted to be, she would have to dedicate herself to the job so much, she wouldn’t be able to have the time with her family that she wanted.
ReplyDeleteI personally believe that there is room for all of these types of leadership, depending on the situation. I myself tend to believe in interpersonal relationships, but sometimes you just really need to focus on the task in order to get something done. The problem is that we assume men and women have these particular styles and then when a woman uses a leadership style that isn’t characterized as feminine we have a problem with it. We need to be flexible in our leadership styles and lead in whatever way is needed, man or woman.
I really do think that the family life has a lot to do with women’s underrepresentation. Also, from media messages women are assumed to not have leadership abilities, and typically leadership positions are given to those who show promise of becoming a good leader. I really honestly believe the problem is not necessarily with the difference between men and women, but how we think about the difference between men and women. If we didn’t have certain connotations with “feminine” and “masculine” types of leadership then there probably wouldn’t be such huge issues. However, women can’t have a “masculine” attitude toward leadership because they would be poorly judged and perceived. I hope that this changes in the future, I don’t think it will be quick because it requires a change in thought and beliefs. And I think we need to remember that these aren’t really “reasons” as they are thought to be reasons. Women don’t actually have completely different leadership styles because they are women. Some men and women have similar styles, but more women tend to go with the stereotypical “feminine” leadership style because that is what they are expected to do. I think that women will work their way up to having more equal representation in leadership positions, but it will be a very slow process.
I believe that women and men, at least nowadays, have an equal amount of work experience. I agree that women look more into what is best for her family – even if it means taking a pay cut or a lesser position – than men. From what I have witnessed in the work force and in life in general – women are much more willing to give up things for herself in support for her family. Men and women are usually given equal tasks in the work force, yet men tend to be given more hard labor jobs while women do the “busy work”. Men are expected to work out in a warehouse while women are the common people to take positions such as a receptionist or an event planner. Where I work back at home – there are no women who work out in the warehouse. Our receptionists are men though, but it’s due to an employment cut. We used to have women at the front desk to greet customers with their “warm hearts and smiles” – but since then, we’ve had our salesmen pull a double-duty with their main job of selling and also alternating positions of answering the phones and greeting guests.
ReplyDeleteI believe a good leader should be able to focus on both interpersonal relationships and tasks. It would be difficult to choose one or the other and expect exceptional results. Transformational leadership is more effective, in my opinion, because I believe leaders should focus on someone’s strengths and build them up than to focus on their weaknesses and try to fix them. It will make the life of the employee and employer simpler.
I believe the leadership of women in the workforce has always been underrepresented due to women having no leadership back in the day. The parents of our parents were likely in them mindset that the women stay at home and take care of the family and the house as the husbands go to work and “bring home the bacon.” Our own parents may have even been in the same situation and it is still occurring as we speak. The simple fact is that women are not really pictured as being leaders of the workforce. It’s still a foreign concept and many people do not feel confident in a woman leader. They believe their emotions will get in the way of making tough decisions. I hope that one day the world will be more willing to accept women leaders in the world – but I unfortunately think it will be a while yet. Hopefully I will be proven wrong.
I think that it is a fair argument in that women are initially most affected by the choice to start a family. They are the ones who will need to request time off during their pregnancy which can play a factor in choosing a certain profession. It is more commonly seen that women are more likely to tend to their family than show an increasing concern in promotions in their job. Women often take on the role of taking care of the family and the home. Whereas more men are concerned with being able to adequately provide for their family on a more material basis. I have seen these differences in human capital through the households of friends. It is extremely rare to see a stay at home dad or most times even a dad doing common household chores. More often then not I have witnessed women caring for the house and family while the husband takes on the more accelerated career. As I have gotten older I think that it is becoming more balanced but still swayed towards the norm of women tending to families rather than jobs. Though in some cases I wouldn't say that a family has stopped the drive for some career women. It seems to be the trend that some women excel in their career once their children are an age in which they can mostly care for themselves.
ReplyDeleteI think that there is a need for both but i end more towards interpersonal relationships. I think that it removes an element of fear and allows a group to perform with a better amount of cohesion. It is collaborative but is not effective in all situations. When a project is on a timeline then a task focus leadership style works better.
I think that another reason why there has been an underrepresentation of women in leadership positions is the portrayal of women in the media and the definitions of the difference between men and women. These preconceived notions have been carried throughout the decades contributing to the close mindedness of individuals. These stereotypes have been reinforced so they will be hard to break. I think that society has come a long way with more people concerned with women's rights and gender studies. I think there will always be some type of prejudice but progress is being made.
In research that I have done, women statistically hold jobs that pay less and may not be focused as leadership positions. Men also ask for raises and promotions more, while women search for jobs that allow schedule flexibility and more family oriented benefits. I personally believe this is statistical discrimination rather than actual gender discrimination. It just happens that certain jobs appeal to women over men and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a leader that focuses on transformational leadership while keeping in mind relationships is the most important. By keeping in mind the moods and lives of the followers, the leader will in turn inspire a new form of motivation which will help get the task at hand done.
As times change, the representation of women in leadership positions grows stronger. This is in part to not only womens and gender studies, but through empowering figures in all aspects of leadership. For example, we are seeing a rise in female Fortune 500 CEOs, along with powerful women like Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton in politics.