Men and women both have similar leadership capabilities, according to a new Quantum Workplace survey.
The survey, which questions stereotypes about women in leadership, finds female respondents are more likely to oversee team progress as well as let go of poor performers in a timely manner. However, only 40 percent of female respondents are less likely to ask for feedback as opposed to 60 percent of male respondents.
Male respondents are more likely to contemplate how various scenarios will affect the future, and they are considered to be more knowledgeable about their industry and competitors, the survey finds.
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"Quantum Workplace's annual research shows that trust in leaders has the largest impact on overall levels of engagement," says Greg Harris, president of Quantum Workplace. "Our 2012 leadership study researched this even further and found very little differences in trust between men and women's leadership capabilities, which supports what we inherently believed to be true: Men and women are equals in the leadership game."
Male respondents and female respondents share four of the top five leadership strengths, which are demonstrating care and concern for colleagues, develops and encouraging strong relationships with customers, being committed to maintaining a great workplace, and demonstrates enthusiasm and energy. Conversely, male and female respondents share only three out of the top five leadership weaknesses: terminates poor performers in a timely manner, manages ambiguity, and uses intrinsic and extrinsic incentives to motivate others.
While statistics show there are differences in employment and income gaps between men and women leaders, there had not been a connection made between these gaps and each group's leadership abilities, which is why the survey was commissioned. The survey includes responses from 1,500 respondents.
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