Femaleness

Gender Perspectives in Leadership
"Femaleness is commonly associated with ideas that are not aligned with leadership, ideas such as compliance, dependence, emotionality, weakness, being accepting, passivity, nurturance, and being "people oriented" (Grossman & Valiga, 2009, p.100). 

The gender divide is changing and women are making significant strides towards providing leadership in society today.

• "In 1999, women simply were not present in senior management positions to the extent that we would expect when 85% of U.S. health care workers are female" Grossman & Valiga, 2009, p.101)
• Consider that while women compose 73% of medical and health services managers, only 4% of health care CEOs were women (Forbes, 2012). 

According to Grossman and Valiga (2009), some of the reasons why there has been a limited number of women exercising leadership is....

• Society does not except and value leadership in women
• Women are not typically socialized as leaders
• There are few women leader role models
• Women are not supported & encouraged in exerting leadership
• Women are fearful of competition

I have met some amazing female leaders and I know that WE will help change these statistics and become amazing, successful, compassionate leaders.  I know I plan on doing all I can to be a female leader in health care! After all we have to be role models for the next generation of leaders.  We have an obligation to all women to increase the number of women in leadership, management, and CEO positions. 

I challenge you to help change this gender divide!


Forbes. (2012). Women in Healthcare Report: 4% of CEOs, 73% of Managers. retrieved from http://www.forbes.com/sites/davechase/2012/07/26/women-in-healthcare-report-4-of-ceos-73-of-managers/

Grossman, S. & Valiga, T. (2009). The new leadership challenge: creating the future of nursing. F.A. Davis Company. Philadelphia, PA.