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Masculine or feminine leadership?

Thu 18 February 2010

, Yonda Poslavsky, Labour Psychologist

In this week’s ‘Dear Yonda’ marketing director Anne-Marie asks how she can get the desired balance between feminine and masculine leadership styles. ‘I’m inclined to act more masculine when I want certain things done the right way. I want to be taken seriously without being a bully.’

Dear Yonda,

As the newly appointed marketing director of a multinational, I’m in charge of a division of very driven people and I’m thrilled about keeping my co-workers enthused. But every now and then, I find myself struggling with my leadership style. When necessary I’m tough and masculine and at other times I’m mindful and sensitive. Although I prefer the latter approach, I’m inclined to act more masculine when I want certain things done the right way, and this is starting to get the upper hand. I want to be taken seriously without having to be a bully. Any thoughts on how I can get the desired balance? 

Anne-Marie

Dear Anne-Marie,

Adapting your style to a specific situation is one of the most difficult things for leaders to do. In 2007 a leading magazine (Intermediair) commissioned a big study on the effects of leadership styles of men and women. I will get to your question soon, but let me first share some of the findings of this survey with you. Female managers, the study showed, perform better than men because they possess both masculine and feminine qualities.

Androgynous

Striking also was that the ideal leader is characterised as a strong, dominant person; leading us to think male instead of female when we think of a manager. This prejudice is flawed. In fact men aren’t personified more often as masculine leaders. Moreover, when put to the test, the mixed or androgynous leaders scored best. You appear to be an androgynous leader, which means you have the qualities to be a successful marketing director.  

Be authentic

So how do you find the balance between masculine and feminine? The keyword in your case is authenticity. To be authentic, first, listen to yourself but don’t lose touch with your environment. Naturally you approach a co-worker who delivers a great job differently than a colleague who does something in a slapdash manner. What’s important is that you let your own values and objectives be your guide. And that takes self-knowledge. 

No sweat

To be an authentic leader, who inspires her team, requires a few tricks. Focus on the bigger issue. Have a clear vision and goal that surpass individual interests so that your team members will reach for those instead of their own. And thirdly, stick to your own goals. If you stay true to your values, goals and vision, you won’t lose sight of them even if you find yourself in a difficult situation. Hold on to this and you’ll come across as trustworthy. And with your team members’ trust and your intuition for a guide, you’ll be able to balance masculine and feminine leadership styles without a sweat!