Can women make good leaders?

Can women make good leaders? The very question can spur heated debates from both men and woman: arguing various issues related to the strengths and weakness of each gender. Despite the validity of the arguments, the reality is that the statistics related to woman in high ranking leadership positions highlights how women are woefully underrepresented .

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2009 that women constituted 51% of all workers in the workplace. Despite improvements in education attainment, professional development, and political participation, this has not translated into significant increases in female leadership in politics and business. While some women have risen to the pinnacle of political power, less than 19% of legislators in the world today are women. In the corporate sphere, female representation falls to a mere 9.9%. The limited female presence in leadership positions leads to a consideration of whether and how public policy should respond. To answer these questions, we must identify the constraints on female leadership and aim to accurately understand the benefits of enabling more women to become leaders. WORLD DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2012-Pande, Rohini, and Deanna Ford

Many studies have been done by researchers on the issue of gender discrepancies in high level leadership positions. I do not claim to be one of those researchers, however, I have made some related observations of the other students in my program, men and woman training to become our district's future leaders. Like them, I share a sense of internal conflict as we strive to seek balance between our career ambitions and our family responsibilities. While many of the males in our program, especially the two whose wives have recently had babies, feel the challenge to manage that balance, it appears that the woman have more internal conflict and a greater sense of sacrifice. Moreover, the woman that exhibit strong leadership tendencies, often see that as being pushy, opinionated, and a weakness whereas the males see that as a strength. When we discuss what we would change about ourselves, the men talk about being even more assertive, whereas the women discuss the need to be more inclusive.


This entire reflection was prompted when I viewed the following video featuring Sheryl Sandberg, the C.O.O. of Facebook. In the the video she talks about things women need to do in order to counter this trend. Most notably was the notion of "Sitting at the table." She explains that women often underestimate their contributions and worthiness. For me, this topic was particularly profound, as I often find myself downplaying my abilities, questioning my worthiness, and wondering if I have the "IT" factor that would make me a great leader. I recognize this doubt may be in part the result of living a very different life then I find myself living right now. As a mother, I raised two young women to be strong leaders, but never believed myself to be one... until now... now I am starting to see what others have seen in me, the leader within.

Dr. Smith, from the Center for Leadership and Learning lead a training for my group early in our program. During that training he showed us a video clip from the movie "Surf's Up" in which the one character was told that a surf board can be found within a piece of wood if only you have the patience to find it. The analogy was made to us as future leaders... that a leader was within each of us, that it is up to us to discover it.

So my initial question, can women make good leaders, is not nearly as relevant as what does it take to be a good leader and what do we, as a society, need to do to support developing leaders. I am not completely comfortable with calling  myself a leader yet, but I know I am well on my way. Perhaps that uncertainty, that desire to learn and grow, and my ability to reflect upon the process will ultimately make me a good leader. Eventually I think I will feel more comfortable with the title, but as John Maxwell said, “He that thinketh he leadeth, and hath no one following, is only taking a walk." Hopefully, I will not just be out for a walk!