DISCUSSION 4 -4 2
What are some challenges that female leaders are facing? What are some factors that may
contribute to more/fewer challenges?
Western cultures widely believe women, unlike men, don’t have a better shot at
leadership. It is believed political, and business leadership positions are better deserved by men,
even if most of the scholars and researchers have found a difference in leadership styles between
the two. This lack of concession contributes significantly to the plight of women in leadership
position in western countries.
First, according to Ayman (2010), women are attributed to a low social status which
creates a social identity that affects them in decision making. Secondly, in his theoretical
rationale, Madden (2005), argued that lack of self-confident haunt women from excelling in
leadership positions. Apparently, to be a leader one require very high interpersonal skills that
will enable them to go beyond the odds of prejudice and social culture. Finally, women face a
challenge in the lack of social recognition as a capable part of leadership in the community. The
latter perceive women as having more emotions, softer spoken, and easily manipulated hence not
fit for leadership in political and business positions.
The factor that can contribute to more challenge for women seeking higher leadership
position is the continued lack of institutional support. Most of the political parties, for the case of
political leadership, do not considers women as robust enough to stand the competition from
their fellow aspirants on the competing parties. Due to this reason, women end up being
frustrated and denied a chance to develop in leadership. On the other hand, according to Eagly &
Johnson (1990), women’s plight in leadership can be solved through acceptance and recognition
of the importance of women leadership in the society. Through the implementation of 38%
