LSBR Blog
Four myths that (still) get in the way of women and leadership
Surprisingly, almost two decades into the 21st century, there are still myths about women in business and leadership that get in the way of our success. Perhaps even more surprising is that these myths don’t just affect the decisions that other people make about hiring, promoting, and advancing women into the executive ranks, they also color what we think about ourselves as leaders and potential leaders. Here’s my thought this article on “Four myths that (still) get in the way of women and leadership” I have personally met and worked with hundreds—maybe thousands—of women who defy these stereotypes and prove them wrong every day of the week. But even so, these myths continue to persist despite the lack of evidence supporting them. Here are four of the most common myths that I have encountered about women and leadership:
Women are more emotional and dramatic than men. Women have gotten the bad rep that they are overly emotional (nearly always blamed on hormones!) and can’t lead under pressure. What’s ironic about this belief is that when a man slams the table with his hand or raises his voice, it’s somehow perceived as strong and powerful, not emotional. If a woman acted in the same manner, she would be perceived as “emotional” or “a piece of work.” Sadly, women do suffer disproportionately from stress-related diseases like heart disease. I believe this is due to a variety of factors, not the least of which is that we still carry the larger load of house and child care. This is not an excuse to support a deeply held bias that we are any less capable as leaders, or any less able to act decisively when necessary.
Women are less confident than men. Some of the most confident people I’ve ever met are women—strong, decisive, immensely capable women. Regardless, men are widely seen as more confident when, in fact, they are not immune from self-doubt. What is true is that, from a really young age, girls are bombarded with messages that they are somehow lesser than boys. Many women internalise this messaging, and it becomes a burden that requires ongoing attention to defeat. And, when we do act confident, we are seen as “bitchy” and “conceited” and “cold.”
LSBR.UK
