Women claim a leadership edge

Which gender supplies better leaders for organizations? Based on research conducted by Zenger Folkman, a strengths-based leadership development consultant, the answer is rather clear. As far as the 16 researched differentiating leadership competencies are concerned, women excelled in a majority of areas.

On an overall leadership effectiveness index (a 49-item index), females were rated significantly more positively than males. The 49 items were found to be the most differentiating items separating the best versus the worst leaders. The items are associated with 16 differentiating competencies. The overall index is the average rating from an aggregate of manager, peer, direct report and other ratings.

On 12 of 16 competencies females were rated more positively by the total of all respondents manager, peers, direct reports and others. The bias of most people is that females would be better at nurturing competencies such as developing others and relationship building. While this is true, the competencies with the largest differences between males and females were taking initiative, practicing self-development, integrity/honesty, and driving for results.

The data represents managers and executives who completed Utah-based Zenger Folkman’s Extraordinary Leader 360 assessment in 2011. The company surveyed 7,280 leaders, 64% of whom were male and 36% female. The company states the clients tend to be “progressive, successful companies that have a strong belief in leadership development. This is not a global random sample of leaders but rather a sampling of male and female leaders from high-performing companies.”  

Differences in Competencies

* Males were rated more significantly positively on one competency
(Develops Strategic Perspective).