A511.8.3.RB – Gender

March 3, 2016

Richard Martinez

MSLD 511

            Women are highly represented in every field as well as management positions, yet women are not commonly found in the highest positions. Rosabeth believes that this is in part due to responsibility required and women are often overlooked due to balancing work and family. The difference in pay is due to job requirements and expectations. Judgement is based on people wanting people who reflect them. Family oriented women play a big part. People performing same work should have the same pay. Women should have high level positions if they have the skills and training to perform the job. Women need to have more of a voice and people need to listen. Women are often not seen as authority figures in comparison to men. There is resentment when women are paid less for the same work and can have a negative impact on the work climate.

            Discrimination is evident due to the number of women in high level leadership positions. Assumptions are made in relation to males possessing traits required for leadership positions. Gender stereotypes have been slow to change and varies in different cultures. Some argue that it is more common for women to have the values and skills needed for effective leadership, such as kindness, compassion, and nurturing. Some believe that the nature of women is more conducive to growing relationships. Proponents say that these are weak assumptions. The glass ceiling has many contributing factors including biased beliefs, lack of opportunity for women to gain experience and visibility, higher standards or performance required for women, and lack of opportunity. The research in regards to comparing men and women as leaders is inconclusive.

            Both Moss Kanter and Yukl recognize that although women are increasingly gaining leadership positions discrimination still exists. Moss Kanter believes that this issue is due women having responsibilities to balance work and family and that those doing the hiring are looking for someone who reflects them. She also says that there is not so much an issue with equal pay for equal work but that women take more time off so it takes more time to earn pay increases or their job expectations are not the same so the pay is less. Yukl credits lack of opportunity for women with the reason for the gap. I believe that more and more opportunities are becoming available for women, even in the military. I also believe that effective leadership is skill based rather than gender based. I feel that I identify more with Yukl’s insights on the gender issue.