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by Arrey Echi

Created on: June 08, 2010

Leadership usually refers to the state or position of being a leader, in command. It is generally held that men are genetically qualified to assume leadership positions. This notion is especially very true when leadership is viewed within the family context. This is because leadership within the family is divinely attributed to the man. The exception is in single parent families where the lone parent is a woman. This does not mean that women are considered to be any lesser than men. It is basically for the sake of peace and harmony within the family. Thus a family where the man exercises his leadership in a loving and considerate manner is bound to remain happy and united. The reverse is also very true.

Looking at leadership in the office environment as the topic implies is a different matter. Men, as noted are traditionally considered to be born leaders. As such, a woman who finds herself at the helm of an institution could generally conclude and often wrongly that this implies she has to work harder than her male counterpart. The reasons highlighted below argue the point in the negative. Over the centuries, women have been relegated to the background. Most often than not, they have been seen as fit for nothing except domestic work and child bearing which is often termed women’s triple roles; reproduction, production and nurturing. However, the advent of feminism and women’s movement challenged this view. Many women were now able to obtain an education in which they excelled. Yet, they were still confined to subjects which was highly believed could help them carry out their triple roles or biological responsibilities. Notwithstanding, many girls still dared to brave the exclusive male domains and today we have women proving their worth ,demonstrating leadership capabilities and making valuable contributions in sciences, technology, medicine, literature, journalism etc.

These women worked hard to be where they are today. They were still in most cases discriminated against in the job market. Many women could easily be refused work or denied promotions because they have little children at home. It was automatically believed that this made it impossible for them to work longer hours or take work assignments. Asking for maternity leave in some places was a case in point. As such, most were easily employed in so called easy to perform jobs like teaching, nursing, secretary, office clerks, and so forth. Many women pursued higher education in an attempt to break this stereotype and prove that women can also have and keep executive jobs. The world job market today proves that these women were right as you find CEOs and top executives in most companies to be women.

Unfortunately, living by the adage that ‘what a man can do a woman can do ten times better,’ many women have the misguided notion that; when they reach the top they have to work extra harder than their male counterparts just to keep the job. It is a sad reality that many of these women do that to the detriment of their health and family. They have the educational qualifications, the work expertise and some are even more proficient than their male counterparts. If the men do not need to work extra hard to keep their jobs because they are in a leadership position and with usually the same qualifications why should the women do? True, being in a leadership position calls for extra work but this should be for all concerned not for women only. With the above mentioned arguments, the conclusion is that women in leadership positions do not need to work extra harder. Their being in control shows they have proved their worth already there is therefore no need to work extra harder than their male colleagues in similar positions.

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