Women and Leadership

Women and Leadershipfor future political and economic changes within a
Recent years more and more women havecountry and in the world is an essential part of
appeared on the international arena as successfulleadership.
political leaders. This tendency shows that womenFemale leaders bring to politics a new vision of the
have the same leadership abilities as men and canproblems and new strategies to problems solving.
successfully perform as Presidents and PrimeFor instance, the example of African female
Ministers. This trend is a good sign for leadership inleader depicts that women "bring motherly
the world which can be interpreted as a greatsensitivity and emotion to their presidency"
step towards equal opportunities and the ability of(Female presidents show how the U.S. lags, 2005).
public to overcome prejudices against womenFemale political leaders show that leading others is
abilities to lead and rule.not simply a matter of style, or following some
Women leadership abilities are formed under thehow-to guides or recipes. Ineffectiveness of
influence of individual characteristics, internal andleaders seldom results from a lack of know-how
external environment. It is concerned with whyor how-to, nor it is typically due to inadequate
they choose a particular course of action inskills. Leadership is even not about creating a
preference to others, and why they continue withgreat vision. It is about creating conditions under
a chosen action, often over a long period, and inwhich all followers can perform independently and
the face of difficulties and problems. This type ofeffectively toward a common objective.
communication provides additional channels ofTo overcome limitations of male leadership
communication and provides a means ofLiberian President" her presidential campaign on
motivation, for example, through status, socialher experience and wisdom -- and on bringing a
inter¬action, variety in routine jobs, and informalwoman's touch to the civic reconciliation
methods of work. It is admitted that womennecessary for Liberia" (Female presidents show
leaders are "more likely to be transformationalhow the U.S. lags, 2005).
leaders, defined as those who serve as roleFemale leaders help each of their followers to
models, mentor and empower workers anddevelop into an effective self-leader by providing
encourage innovation even when the organizationthem with the behavioral and cognitive skills
they lead is generally successful" (Evanston, 2005).necessary to exercise self-leadership. An
Without the direct participation and support of animportant measure of a leader's own success is
institution's leadership, this power cannot behe success of her followers. The strength of a
pushed to its full potential. Leadership requiresleader is measured by the ability to facilitate the
many of the characteristics common to allself-leadership of others first critical step towards
leaders, but also requires special abilities tothis goal is to master self-leadership. If leaders
manage any organization in today's rapidlywant to lead somebody, they must first lead
changing environment. One model for thinkingthemselves.
about strategic change sees the exis¬tence ofThe list of female Presidents includes: Mary
leadership as a social system built on 'influenceMcAleese, Ireland (1997) and Ruth Dreifuss,
paths' or 'loops'.Switzerland (1999-2000), Mireya Elisa Moscoso de
Most women leaders posses greater ability toArias, Panama (1999-prersent ) and Tarja Kaarina
motivate and inspire followers In order to achieveHalonen, Finland (2000- present), etc. The Prime
optimal goals three basics would be taken intoMinisters are Helen Clark, New Zealand (1999-
account: motivation, reward and commitment.present), Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Bangladesh (1996-
Motivating other people is about getting them topresent), Janet Jagan, Guyana (1997, President
move in the direction they want them to go in1997-1999) so on. (Women Leaders. 2005).
order to achieve a result.In spite of this list and world's political practive it is
Motivation can be described as goal-directedsupposed that women cannot be cussessful
behaviour and ability to contribute to a solution.leaders because of conviction. In the article "Why
Followers are motivated when they expect that aCan't Women Be Leaders Too?"
course of action is likely to lead to the attainmentRobin Gerber explains his vision of women
of a goal and a valued reward - one that satisfiesleadership stating that: "women' conviction is not
their needs. It is reasonable to believe that strongjust having a belief, but holding strongly to it. It's
commitment to work is likely to result inone thing to talk about change; it's another thing
consci¬entious and self-directed application to doto actually do something" (Graham, 2005). It
the job, regular attendance, nominal supervisionwould be possible to agree with Robin Gerber if
and a high level of effort.not a numerous examples of successful female
Referring to Eagly's study Evanston (2005) statesleaders.
that: "Women also scored higher than men on oneThe other leadership quality which appeals to
measure of transactional leadership -- rewardingmany people is that female leaders are more
employees for good performance" (Evanstontrustworthy than men. Women leaders are able
2005). This explains why some countries prefer toto implement new style faster than men. For
elect female Presidents and Prime Ministers.instance, female leader in Peru is characterized as:
"Women presidents, prime ministers, and heads of"She's a good woman, the woman who is going
state have commanded powerful nationsto move us forward, because the men can't be
throughout history. Great historical leaders includetrusted,'' said Magda Acuna, who sells shirts and
Cleopatra VII of Egypt, Queen Isabel I of Spain,slacks. ''They rob. They're corrupt. Women are
Queen Elizabeth I of Great Britain, Catherine themore honest.'' (Vecchio, 2001). In pursuing and
Great of Russia, Empress Dowager Tz'u-his ofachieving objectives, Women leaders are more
China, and others" (Boyd, 2002). Probably, theopen to new ideas, insights, and revelations that
most famous women of all times is Margaretcan lead to better ways to accomplishing goals.
Thatcher who proved the image of an "iron lady"This continuous learning process can be exercised.
able to compete with men on the political arena.To conclude it is possible to say that female
Being an excellent example of an ideal femaleleadership proves the fact that the world is
leader Margaret Thatcher possesses suchneeded in new vision and novelty brought by
features as vision of the future and personalwomen. Recent years, global population are
charisma (Margaret Thatcher, 2005). The otherlooking for leaders who are willing to give it all
famous female leaders include: Prime Minister ofthey have and they will follow, and female leaders
New Zealand Helen Clark and Chancellor ofare able to join strong leadership skills with female
Germany Angela Merkel. "The world recordnature. Women leadership is the best process
amount of female world leaders was 13, in July ofcurrently available for improving political
2002, when Lativa, Finland, New Zealand, Ireland,effectiveness . The design retains needed
Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Indonesia, Panama,principles from the traditional system; incorporates
Bangladesh, Sengal, São Tomé and Príncipe,political principles, and builds a new system that
and South Korea all had female leaders (Currentworks to accomplish overall objectives. The
Female World Leader Count 9, 2005).importance is that the process of effective
General leadership skills are not sufficient inleadership will be of extreme importance in the
enriched environments. It must directly relate tonext 10 years and continues to advance rapidly
the tools, medium, strategies, and competenciesand change becomes imperative. With a female
found within this culture. The recent tendencyleaders and transformational leadership any
shows that female leader possess thecountry will be "equipped" with the necessary and
competencies to use and evaluate new tools, butproper tools to successfully perform on the
she must also have the insight into the impactinternational arena and succeed on the national
these tools will have on the future of theirbasis.
countries. The ability to develop a shared vision