Gender and Leadership Roles

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Gender and Leadership Roles The purpose of this research paper is to identify whether or not women are as capable as men in being strong and influential leaders. It’s a question that has been asked on a regular basis but as research shows, one gender appears to be more effective at leading than the other. What Is Leadership? “Good leaders are made not born. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. Good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience” –Colin Powell If you ask someone to define the term leadership, there is a great possibility that each individual would provide a different answer. While some people may define the term leadership based on personal experience from fulfilling a leadership role, others may define the term based on what the qualities they hope to see in an individual. A leader can best be described as, “one or more people who selects, equips, trains, and influences one or more follower(s) who have diverse gifts, abilities, and skills and focuses the follower(s) to the organization’s mission and objectives causing the follower(s) to willing and enthusiastically expend spiritual, emotional, and physical energy in a concerted coordinated effort to achieve the organizational mission and objectives (Winston & Patterson, 2002).” A leaders concern doesn’t only end with his or hers employees as stated in the above quote by Colin Powell – a leader must continue to seek personal development and continue to find ways to grow improve their skills and build on their experience. Given the listed characteristics of what a leader is, the question that is frequently pondered is, are women or men better leaders? Which gender has the qualities necessary to influence employees to accomplish the organization’s goals?

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