If you’re wondering what subtle or cloaked forms of resistance continue to hinder women’s leadership, consider this: The most common form of resistance is rooted in our primal trust in male leadership. Understanding this can help us chart our course. In addition, the brightest females in the Animal World can offer insight into overcoming this resistance.
Men are more likely to be “visionary” leaders.
Visionary leaders are often characterized by an ability to think big and see the world from a different perspective. They thrive in periods of volatility and usually have an entrepreneurial bent. They can see opportunity before others and use their verbal skills to convince others to join their vision.
This difference in perceptions of “visionary” leaders among men and women has implications for women who want to get to the top of a company. To gain recognition as visionary leaders, women must understand the practical definition of academic leadership and develop visioning skills. In addition to developing strategic understanding, they must also leverage their network. A well-developed external network can help counteract the tendency toward insular thinking.
In other words, visionary leaders can see the big picture, have the self-confidence to make the big vision a reality, and are good communicators. Innovative leaders are also viewed more favorably than leaders who are soft and insecure. On the other hand, women are often criticized more harshly for being too weak and not having the self-confidence to follow through on their vision.
These gender stereotypes create fundamental differences between men and women. As a result, gender stereotypes perpetuate prejudices and impact women and men in the workplace. The researchers from INSEAD’s School of Management, Hermina Ibarra and Otilia Obodaru, discuss how their research shows that men and women have different capabilities regarding vision. INSEAD defined vision as the ability to recognize new opportunities and make strategic decisions.
Men are more aggressive.
The authors of Why Leaders Fight analyzed the military actions of all world leaders from 1875 to 2004. They found that 36% of female leaders initiated at least one militarized dispute. However, this doesn’t mean that women are more aggressive than men. Women started thirteen acts of military aggression and one war (Indira Gandhi).
Research suggests that men are less likely to like assertive women than women. This may be due to gendered expectations that women be passive and submissive. Those who act aggressively face a “likeability penalty,” which restricts their success in the workplace. As a result, women must learn to balance their femininity and masculinity.
In addition to gender-based differences, men tend to be more aggressive and overconfident than women. In general, they are also more collaborative and empathetic. This could explain why women in leadership roles are more likely to become aggressive in their opposition. Interestingly, though, women are more likely to be bold in their resistance when they share power with a man.
One explanation is that men and women have evolved differently regarding their social networks. While women are less likely to form coalitions with same-sex peers, men are more likely to compete directly with one another. In addition, men are more likely to form hierarchical unions. In contrast, women’s same-sex coalitions are usually smaller and more egalitarian. These coalitions are enforced through social exclusion.
These differences may be a consequence of sexual selection. Males tend to have more muscular upper bodies, while women are weaker. These differences may have contributed to the evolution of follower psychology.
Men are more likable.
A recent study suggests that men are more likable in subtle or veiled forms of resistance to women women’s leadership. In contrast, women who show anger are not lovely. They tend to earn lower wages, have a lower status, and are perceived as less competent. The research also found that men were likelier when they displayed anger in their workplace communications.
The study asked respondents about four negative stereotypes about women and men. Of these stereotypes, seventy percent of respondents said women were more emotional and manipulative, while 46 percent said men are more arrogant and stubborn.
The survey also found that the public rated women as better leaders in seven areas. Being honest is one of the most critical attributes of leadership. Fifty percent of adults said women are better at leadership, while just one in five said men are better at it.
Men also tend to form more extensive social networks than women do. These networks are often hierarchical, and men tend to have fewer weak ties than women. This may have a bearing on the design of institutions, access to novel information, and opportunities to climb the hierarchy.
Women are not “cut out” for leadership.
In an increasingly conflicted culture about authority, women may find it difficult to integrate leadership into their core identity. While this challenge can be overwhelming, women can demonstrate their leadership skills in unconventional ways. This article explores how powerful women can recognize women’s leadership potential.
According to a Heinrich-Heine University study of 1,529 respondents, women are less prepared for leadership roles than men. This is likely related to sexism or internalized sexism. Men are more likely to align themselves with the male agentic stereotype, while women may fear high-level roles that compromise their family life.
Recent studies suggest that women want to be in leadership roles but are hesitant to take those steps. According to the KPMG study, six out of 10 professional working women aspire to serve as a senior executives or on a board. Still, they are cautious about taking these steps because they do not think of themselves as leaders. KPMG researchers argue that women need to be socialized to view themselves as leaders, and their work context should support their efforts to become successful.
In addition to these factors, motherhood is one-way women prepare for leadership. While having children is not a prerequisite for leadership, it disproportionately impacts a woman’s career more than a man’s. Women experience fewer opportunities for advancement in the workforce, and mothers may choose to opt-out of leadership roles altogether. In addition, some careers are more challenging for women, balancing work and childcare.
In addition to nurturing their leadership identities, companies must encourage women to create supportive communities. This way, women facing similar challenges can share feedback and mutually support one another. This social support increases women’s willingness to share feedback, which encourages women to be open and vulnerable.
Women are not “visionary” leaders.
Studies have shown that women are less likely to be “visionary” leaders than men. This may be due to differences in self-confidence, perceptions of their abilities, and communication skills. The key characteristics of a visionary leader are confidence in one’s abilities and a clear understanding of the bigger picture. However, many psychologists doubt the efficacy of using peer ratings alone to measure visionary leadership. In contrast, the Emotional Competence Inventory (ECI) can assess visionary leadership.
A Gillet-Karam study found that women leaders are more likely to engage in the following behaviors: taking appropriate risks, caring for others’ differences, acting collaboratively, and creating trust. These behaviors were identified as essential to women’s leadership. Ultimately, these qualities can lead to success.
Women who want to expand their leadership capacity must stop dismissing vision as a weakness and instead make it one of their core strengths. Visionary thinking is the foundation for innovation and creativity and helps companies remain relevant. Women must cultivate creative thinking to make the most of their time in senior leadership roles.
