No Time for Stereotypes

It would be easy to fall back on stereotypical assumptions that women leaders are more risk adverse and less competitive than men and, therefore, wouldn't have gotten us into this financial mess. Not only is that too easy an answer, it also doesn't have empirical evidence to back it up. In fact, study after study demonstrates that there are minimal differences between men's and women's leadership of organizations.

Do I believe that the world would be a better place if there were more women in leadership positions in business and government? You bet. We need all the talent we can get to lead today's increasingly complex organizations. But, perpetuating the debate about female vs. male leadership traits and styles doesn't bring back jobs, strengthen failing organizations or improve the economy.

I'm more interested in the lessons we can learn about leadership, or lack thereof, from the Wall Street debacle. What happened to integrity as a core leadership value? How and when did a groupthink mindset take over? Moving forward, how do we as a society create a culture where ethical, effective leadership by both sexes is rewarded?

By Kathy Kretman

 |  March 10, 2009; 10:40 AM ET
Category:  Women in Leadership Save & Share:                 
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