Larry Enoch Jowah

(Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, South Africa)

 

 

Abstract: Some researchers confirm the existence of gender based differences, whilst others discount the presence of the differences. The reality remains that women are underrepresented in senior management positions in general, and particularly in project leadership though they comprise an average of 55% of the population. Women vote men into political leadership and show a preference for male managers and leaders. Hellen Zille decided on an all men provincial cabinet, Margaret Thatcher had a total of three women in her cabinet throughout her reign, Indira Ghandi filled her cabinet with males to the exclusion of women, and so on. Ironically, men appoint more women into leadership compared to what women leaders appoint. This article concludes that the exclusion of women in leadership has more to do with women themselves, than it has to do with gender stereotyping as erroneously portrayed. This is evidenced by the preference of men by women leaders.

 

Key words: gender based leadership; barriers to senior leadership; leadership styles; skills and competencies

JEL code: M1