Either Women or Men Make Superior Managers and Leaders: A Critique

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VIII, August 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Either Women or Men Make Superior Managers and Leaders: A Critique

Dr. Chipo Mutongi

PhD, MSc, MBA, BA, HND-LIS, Dip-Edu, Dip-LIS, Dip-Personnel Mgnt, Dip- Salaries Admn.
Midlands State University, Zimbabwe Open University, City of Harare, Associate Chief Editor-IJDS

Abstract : Women were regarded as inferior and sometimes are still regarded as inferior to men and looked down upon. They are sometimes underestimated in issues regarding leadership and management as they are stereotyped and regarded as not being capable of being at the top. This belief came as a result of how men and women are socialized. In actual sense there is little reason to believe that either women or men make superior managers or different types of managers. Hoverer, there are some little differences but this is socially constructed.

Key words: managers, leaders, leadership women, social construction, men, superior managers, glass ceiling.

I. INTRODUCTION

There is little reason to believe that either women or men make superior managers as shown by the social construction theory which shows gender aspects as socially constructed. If something is socially constructed, it can be socially reconstructed. Thus the negative view of women can be changed. Giddens (2009:602) connotes that gender differences are not biologically determined, they are culturally produced. Gender inequalities result because men and women are socialized into different roles. This shows that men and women can both be effective managers and leaders given the same environment, style, situation and approach.

1.1 What is a manager?

The classic definition of a manager is one who gets things done through other people (Carosell, 2004:1). Robbins and Coulter (2005:27) aver that a manager is “someone who works with and through other people by coordinating their work activities in order to accomplish organisational goals”. Thus a manager directs the work rather performs it and exercise authority over the quality of work and the conditions under which it is performed.

II. WHAT IS A LEADER?

Robbins and Coulter (2005:450) define a leader as someone who can influence others. Maxwell (2008:17) posits that leadership is influence nothing more nothing less.

2.1 Gender Theoretical Framework

The functionalist perspectives socializing agencies contribute to the maintenance of social order by overseeing the smooth gender socialisation of new generations.

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