Gender differences in Business Leadership Style Thesis

Gender differences in Business Leadership Style - Thesis Example This makes them better communicators, more sensitive to other peoples feelings, while their verbal fluency makes them better able to communicate speak well and influence others. Differences in leadership styles: Leadership has traditionally been associated with management, but this may not necessarily represent an accurate view because managers think incrementally while leaders think radically. Moreover, leadership involves a transformation in individuals, according to Spencer, â€Å"â€Å"transformational leadership is a process that changes and transforms individuals†. (Spencer 1). According to Warren Benis, leaders are â€Å"able to express themselves fully. They also know what they want', why they want it, and how to communicate what they want to others, in order to gain their co-operation and support. Lastly, ‘they know how to achieve their goals†. (Bennis 1998: 3). As detailed further below, the brain structure in women which provides them more communicativ e ability may be more conducive to transformational leadership. Three different leadership and decision making styles have been identified, namely (a) authoritarian (b) democratic and (c) bureaucratic, based upon decision making patterns of the leader(Burns, 1977). When the leadership style is authoritarian or autocratic, then the leader seeks to retain as much of the decision making power as possible, exercises authority and control and retains the responsibility for decisions (Burns, 1997). The advantages of this leadership style are faster decision making and a work group that functions in a structured manner. The disadvantages however, are that team members may not respond well to being ordered around or may become too dependent on the... Leadership has traditionally been associated with management, but this may not necessarily represent an accurate view because managers think incrementally while leaders think radically. Moreover, leadership involves a transformation in individuals, according to Spencer, â€Å"â€Å"transformational leadership is a process that changes and transforms individuals†. (Spencer 1). According to Warren Benis, leaders are â€Å"able to express themselves fully. They also know what they want', why they want it, and how to communicate what they want to others, in order to gain their co-operation and support. Lastly, ‘they know how to achieve their goals†. (Bennis 1998: 3). As detailed further below, the brain structure in women which provides them more communicative ability may be more conducive to transformational leadership. Three different leadership and decision making styles have been identified, namely (a) authoritarian (b) democratic and (c) bureaucratic, based upon decision making patterns of the leader(Burns, 1977). When the leadership style is authoritarian or autocratic, then the leader seeks to retain as much of the decision making power as possible, exercises authority and control and retains the responsibility for decisions (Burns, 1997). The advantages of this leadership style are faster decision making and a work group that functions in a structured manner. The disadvantages however, are that team members may not respond well to being ordered around or may become too dependent on the leader and helpless to function in an emergency.