The Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Female Leadership
Rossana Reynoso, Vice President of RGP Mexico and Latin America, was often told, “You’re too good,” when she took on leadership roles. For years, female leadership has been perceived as weak and lacking assertiveness, but this stereotype is gradually being broken. The notion that women are not disruptive has prevailed in certain generations, like Generation X, as they were taught not to argue or question things.
However, research by Ipsos and the Fundación Generación Empresarial (FGE) shows that female leadership is more empathetic, inclusive, and efficient. 59% of people believe there’s a difference between women’s and men’s management styles.
Challenges for Generation X Women
Generation X women face difficulties in changing their perception and understanding that they can aim for higher positions. “We were taught to obey, not to be disruptive,” says Reynoso, emphasizing the need for a shift in perspective regarding what they want to achieve.
Female Leadership: More Empathetic and Ethical
While leadership focuses on guiding others, the difference is noticeable when exercised by a woman rather than a man. Women leaders focus more on empathy, inclusivity, reliability, and ethics, according to Ipsos.
The issue is that women fear expressing themselves authentically and falling into gender stereotypes. For example, showing vulnerability is perceived as a sign of weakness and unsuitability for the role.
Reynoso recalls hiding her true self due to comments like, “You’re too good,” and “you like treating others well.” These were seen negatively, largely due to organizational culture.
Three Tips to Boost Female Leadership
Aydeli Ríos, founder of Guapalita, suggests starting with oneself to promote female leadership, as the imposter syndrome is more common in women, causing them to doubt their abilities and downplay achievements.
- 1. Self-reflection: Begin to reflect on your life’s mission, forgotten goals, or experiences. This is crucial because women often prioritize others’ needs over their own.
- 2. Building Support Networks: Organizations should create programs to train and reinforce women’s skills and competencies for leadership roles. Female leadership inspires others to achieve their goals, according to 59% of respondents in the Ipsos survey.
- 3. Patience and Feedback: Be patient during professional development, as leadership learning doesn’t stop. Practice soft skills and seek feedback from your social circle or close people to improve.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Why is female leadership often seen as weak? A: This stereotype has persisted in certain generations, like Generation X, who were taught not to argue or question.
- Q: What makes female leadership more effective? A: Research shows that female leaders are more empathetic, inclusive, and efficient.
- Q: How can we overcome the fear of expressing vulnerability in leadership? A: By embracing authenticity and practicing soft skills.
- Q: What are some ways to boost female leadership? A: Self-reflection, building support networks, and patience with continuous learning and feedback.
