America Needs More Women in Leadership Roles

A 2007 study by Harvard University  concludes that there is a leadership crisis in the United States.  In addition the majority of those surveyed believe the country “would be better off if we had more women in leadership roles.” 

Consider the following findings from this nation-wide survey:

• Over 75% believe there is a leadership crisis and have little confidence in public and private sector leaders
• 63% believe that today’s leaders are worse than our leaders of 20 years ago
• 51% believe the U.S. is falling behind other countries
  • 27% believe we are keeping pace
  • 21% believe we are moving ahead
• 55% believe the country would be “better off if we had more women in leadership roles”
  • 15% were “Not sure”
  • 30% said “No”

Leadership experts, myself included, agree that the go-it-alone heroic leader is a thing of the past.  We live in a much more complex world that calls for a post-heroic leader who is adept at leading collaboratively; has the ability to see multiple facets and layers of a problem; includes and listens to a variety of experts and perspectives; and can lead those with disparate or competing views to see a mutually beneficial vision and work together to achieve it. 

Studies of women leaders indicate that they are particularly suited to work in these ways.  My belief is that women are not better leaders, but they do demonstrate leadership attributes that are more important now than ever before and apparently at least 55% of the people in this country agree.  According to my own research women leaders are seen as more collaborative, inclusive, supprotive; and more inclined to develop mutual goals (create a win-win) rather than work to defeat others.  These are the very attributes that experts say are needed in order to end our leadership crisis. 

The end game is not to have more women leaders but to change the very notion of what successful leaders do and how they do it so that all leaders can succeed.  In this way we will restore confidence and resolve our leadership crisis.  Good leadership in turn will restore our place as a leader of the world’s leaders.