Why Qualified Women Resist the Label of Leader
And What Managers Can Do About It
In the world of management, there's a subtle yet powerful dynamic that often goes unnoticed: many highly qualified women resist the label of "leader." Despite consistently demonstrating the very behaviors that define effective leadership, these women hesitate to claim the title. In fact, when looking at specific behaviors people expect from leaders, women rate higher than man on almost every category.
This isn't just a matter of semantics; it has real consequences for their careers, their teams, and the organizations they support. As this article points out, when women don’t see themselves as leaders, other have trouble seeing them as leaders as well. Seeing yourself as a leader is the first step toward being a leader.