Do Men Entrepreneurs and Women Entrepreneurs Lead Differently?
Posted by Vicki Donlan on Tue, Dec 06, 2011 @ 08:13 AM
As an author of a book on women's leadership, I am asked regularly about my opinion on the difference between men and women's leadership styles.
The question is do men or women make the better boss? Which gender manages other people more successfully? And, which gender is better suited for leadership?
These questions can't be answered accurately without a clear definition of management and leadership. In my experience, entrepreneurs will not be successful unless they are leaders and have some ability to manage others.
Entrepreneurship requires vision. Leaders have vision. They are big idea people. As leaders they inspire others to follow them. Leaders realize that they are only as successful as they are capable of motivating others in their organization to succeed. Leaders walk the talk and ask what is possible.
Managers understand their role as implementer. They have a talent for communicating the short term perspective for the organization. Managers focus on process and getting things done. The bottom line is their responsibility. Managers ask how.
Clearly, the description for leaders and managers has nothing to do with gender. In 2012, more than ever, leaders and managers will need to use a new approach to motivate. As Dan Pink writes in Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us the carrot-stick approach (yes, fewer people are motivated just by money) will require an overhaul. Employees working 40+ hours a week want to find purpose in their work as well as have control over their lifestyle.
In my opinion, this is where gender does play a role. 52% of the workforce today is female and this dynamic has altered employee motivation. It's not that women are not interested in being rewarded for their work, but they want their work to be rewarding. Women are more likely to look for the purpose in their work.
It is the dramatic change in the makeup of the workforce that has changed not how we lead but why we lead.
I look forward to hearing your comments on your experience as a male or female leader and/or manager. Now more than ever we need leaders and managers of both genders to lead America forward to the challenges of a global economy.
