Executive Women: Substance Plus Style
PSYC 4310
Executive Women: Substance Plus Style
The article "Executive Women: Substance Plus Style" deals with the issue of
whether the "abilities and attitudes of male managers are different from those
of female managers" and that these differences have been used to keep women out
of managerial positions. Furthermore, it suggests that it has now become
"fashionable" to state that these differences are favorable and complement the
business environment. Lastly, the article focused on several strategies that
women should follow in order to succeed as a middle or upper level manager
within a large corporation. The authors refute the notion that the differences
between male and female managers are great. They mention that "the few studies
that have looked at women and men in comparable managerial roles have discovered
more similarities than differences across sexes" (Catalyst, 1986). A test bank
from "thousands of managers and professionals in management development programs
from 1978 to 1986" was cited as another reason why they believe there are few
differences between male and female executives. The tests revealed that
executive men and women scored equally on most areas and that executive women
are just as capable at leading, influencing, and motivating groups, as well as
analyzing problems. The authors go on to show that, despite these similarities,
women are disproportionately represented in the ranks of Fortune 500 company
executives.
Repeated references are made to studies that were conducted with 22 people, 16
men and 6 women, whose job is to select executives for top jobs. These p ...