Great question.(my opinion). Female leaders seem to be better listeners and have more of a concern for the humanistic aspect of decision making. Male leaders are more concerned with how we can achieve and reach the “goal” (bottom line)… where the outcome is more important than who or what get’s in the way of reaching that outcome. An example of a Woman leader who has “saved” Xerox is the CEO, Ann Mulcahy. Xerox was in poor shape, she took over and has put them back on the right track.

“men talk about what they do – women just do it. ” – This quite sums it up. If Mother Theresa would be a man, the world would actually know all the achievements, and he would brag about it and be so proud. Men tend to “brand” themselves more and is ok by it. Women feel that branding themselves in this way is “wrong” and feels they should not brag and talk of their achievements. And many probably feel that it is not good enough to talk about. Men on the other hand feels that cleaning the kitchen or cooking should award them an exclusive article in the local newspaper. If you think about it, men tend to talk about their own achievements if you talk to them.

Margaret Thatcher was incredible. Mother Teresa – same, even more so. Jeane Kirkpatrick, Peggy Noonan, Golda Meir, Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, Rosa Parks … those are a few names that come to mind.

Even though we as a species have mostly cognitively evolved beyond our biological pass, (most stress management techniques revolve around resisting the instinctual fight, flight or freeze reaction), we as mammals persist with being more paternilistic than not.

We each concur on our first response for current female leaders – HRClinton. Beyond that, the field thins quickly. Margaret Thatcher, Senator Collins, Snowe and MCSmith (all from Maine).

Good question, I’ll give it more thought and see if I have one worth sharing.

Thanks for letting me know about Ann Mulcahy. There must be more women like her that I am missing.

that comment above was for Lex – thanks for coming by too!

Hi Frode – interesting observations. I am now going to pay more attention when I am speaking to guys!

Hi Brad – I was not familiar with Jeane Kirkpatrick or Peggy Noonan- thanks for pointing them out.

Rosa Parks is interesting. She showed great leadership but in the context of the others in the list had not been formally/officially- if you like- a “leader”. I wonder too if we are less likely to recognise a woman ( or indeed anyone) as a leader if they are not officially in some way in a position of power? Or flip it on its head – how do we learn about great leaders ( and leadership) happening all around us when it is hard for us to hear the stories?

Thanks Robert – it is good to hear that women leaders are very visible in Maine!

There are a number of visible woman leaders I can think of

In politics – Condi Rice, Baroness Amos, Baroness Scotland, Maggie Thatcher, Angela Merkel, Hillary Clinton, Cristina Fernandez

In Business – Oprah Winfrey, Anita Roddick, Michelle Mone, Dr Yvonne Greenstreet, Karen Brady, Indra Nooyi, Marjorie Scardino, Carly Fiorentino

I suppose these are names I often refer to when giving ideas for influential woman at girls schools but there are a lot there. And we haven’t even touched on entertainment, sports and community group leaders.

Many of them carry strong personal brands too, however I think many of us have been programmed to think male when we hear the word leader. Unfortunately.

Great list, Dave – thank you. Maybe there is something in the word “leader” – “influential women” seems somehow so much more appropriate. Is there a difference? Can you be one without the other?

I think leadership is about influencing others directly or indirectly by your vision. Maybe there needs to be more conversation about leadership being inclusive of woman.

Incidently did you know they have The Art of War for Women?

The sad thing is that so many woman who succeed in business have done so by being like men rather than changing the face of leadership. Did you see the stuff around women in technology highlighted by Suw Charman-Anderson’s Ada Lovelace Day?

I wonder how we get that conversation started Dave? Or find out where it is already going on?

Had a look at the contents of the Art of War for Women. How interesting!

Thanks for that link Euan. According to what I read there women more than men need role models who are the same gender as they are. This is fascinating. Off to find out more

Old fashioned prejudice? I was at an event on Saturday when kids stepped forward and said. Hello I am Sam/Mary, I am 10//11/12 and I want to be a ….

The audience routinely clapped the boys who wanted to be lawyers, pilots, politicians, dentists, priests, soccer player, bank manager (one). The girls wanted to be teachers, nurses, bank managers and (one) fashion designer. No boys wanted to nurse or teach. They weren’t British kids of course – how did you tell? A soccer player rather than a football player and no wish to be a celebrity let alone a WAG. Nonetheless the British audience applauded the boys and left the girls in stoney silence.

I noticed. The female retired teached next to me noticed. I am not sure who else. The girls may not have noticed but I am sure such a reception influences them.

It grates . . . in this day and age! Perhaps your question should be what we can say or do to tilt the ecology. A small polite word or deed that might influence us to behave differently?

I agree with you Jo. I expect differently in 2009. Thinking about a follow up post.

[...] post on the different on the difference between male and female leaders provoked a lot of discussion – [...]

Hi Jackie, Rosa Parks actually did receive a great deal of recognition, at least within the U.S. But in general I think you may be right that women are less noticed than men for being everyday heroes. I wonder if there are any blogs that post stories of everyday heroes?

It would be great to read about everyday heroes Brad . Will tweet and ask for recommendations.

Btw our Prime Minister Gordon Brown wrote a book called “Britain’s Everyday Heroes” a couple of years ago. I bought a copy as my friend Stevie Siegerson was included. there was a good gender balance of stories ( which I hope and trust was not contrived!)

[...] The difference between male and female leaders: I always find these types of conversations fascinating. [...]

Personally, i think women are better leaders than men because they take and fulfill responsiblities with both their heads and heart. You see, men by nature are into logic and are very inflexible especially when it comes to dealing with multitude of “difficult” people and circumstances. But women are not just good with analytical skills..they have Emotional Intelligence, too. For sure a better leader should have not just the former but also the latterkind of intelligence as well.

Thanks for coming by Nina and I appreciate your comment. It is interesting that you mention emotional intelligence. I took part in an emotional intelligence workshop at Edinburgh Napier University. There were more men than women on the programme – and it was possibly because they were already self aware that they signed up – but there was a real sense of understanding from both genders at the end of the day. So whilst I agree that men usually use logic more and women their emotions with a bit of work men can develop the ability to use both. I think emotional intelligence therefore should be an important part in any leadership development programme.