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Do Female and Male Leaders Differ in Their Behavior and Effectiveness?

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Do Female and Male Leaders Differ in Their Behavior and Effectiveness? Gina M Ragans Thomas University – MBA 601 November 3, 2013

Research over the last 30 years, specifically as it relates to whether gender impacts leadership effectiveness, has been broad and multi-faceted. Although, women represent fiftyone (51%) percent of the population and forty-six (46.5%) of the work force, they hold less than three (3%) of executive level positions in large Fortune 500 companies (Wan Ismail, 2012). Unfortunately, these percentages have not changed significantly in the last 10 years. While there is a general consensus among researchers that women encounter more barriers than their male counterparts when trying to climb the corporate ladder, there is much less consensus around men versus women’s behavioral and/or social patterns once they attain leadership positions within a company (Mohr, 2008). The question this literature review attempts to answer is how leadership styles are different between men and women and is one more effective than the other. The title of one research study says it all - Women “Take Care,” Men “Take Charge” (Prime, 2009). Historically, women have served in caregiver type roles (e.g. Teacher, Nurse, Fashion Designer) while men traditionally held more “take charge” roles (CEO, President, Armed Services). As women have expanded to other non-traditional roles, it has been difficult for them to overcome the stereotype that women are more effective at leadership roles that focus on nurturing behaviors while men are more effective at leadership roles that involve action-oriented behaviors. This perception appears to be one factor that impact women’s advancement into senior level leadership roles. The overarching theme that seemed to reverberate from the research was a general agreement that women encounter more challenges in attaining leadership positions

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