Gender Differences and Leadership
Abstract
The makeup of our country’s workforce is changing and with the upcoming Presidential election at the forefront of our nation’s news, it appears that for the first time in our nation’s history our great nation could possibility elect our first woman as President. In all my leadership study’s this semester, I began asking myself if Hillary Clinton gets elected will the fact that she is a woman bring a different leadership style than President Bush’s.
Gender Differences and Leadership A number of studies focusing on gender and leadership style have been conducted in recent years. Their general conclusion is that males and females do use different styles. Specifically, women tend to adopt a more democratic or participative style with followers. Women are more likely to encourage participation, share power and information, and attempt to enhance follower’s self-worth (Robbins & Coulter, 2005,). In putting this in an organizational behavior perspective this shows me that women might well be more in tune with their emotional intelligence. A person with a high emotional intelligence level is in touch with their emotions and demonstrates self-management in their ability to control their moods and feelings productively and in staying motivated and focused even when facing leadership obstacles (Nahavandi, 2006). This type of leader leads through inclusion and relies on their charisma, expertise, contacts, and interpersonal skills to influence others. Women tend to use more of a transformational leadership style of motivating others by transforming their self interest into organizational goals (Robbins & Coulter, 2005). What is the nature of a Transformational leadership style? Transformational Leadership Style A transformational leader involves anticipating future trends, inspiring followers to understand and embrace a new vision of possibilities,
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