Gender and Leading Change

1 Gender and Leading Change 1. Gender Gender or sex do not determine leadership style or effectiveness. Both males and females can become effective leaders. Traditionally, men were regarded as better leaders than women because people associated successful leadership behavior with characteristics considered male, including assertiveness, competitiveness, and decisiveness (Schuh et al., 2014). Conversely, women have an interactive approach to leadership. The difference in leadership orientations between men and women is used to infer that women are ineffective leaders because they cannot exercise power.

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However, there are numerous examples of women being as effective as men in leadership or even better. For instance, countries with female leaders were more successful in handling the COVID-19 crisis than those led by men (Taub, 2020). Moreover, although there are fewer females than males in organizational and political leadership positions, both genders make effective leaders. Thus, males and females are equally capable of holding leadership positions and performing them effectively.

2. Leading Change I can lead change by applying Kotter’s eight-stage model. I will start by making people see the need for change. Next, I will build a coalition with the right people. I will then inspire people by providing a clear vision of the change. Next, I will communicate the change to the people and clear any doubts. The next step is eliminating obstacles and empowering people to implement the changes. I will then identify and celebrate short-term achievements to enhance the people’s commitment and enthusiasm. Next, I will build on previous achievements’ credibility and keep the process of change moving (Daft, 2014). Lastly, I will integrate the change within the people’s work habits.

I can also lead change through the appreciative inquiry approach consisting of four phases: discovery, dream, design, and destiny. The first stage is the discovery of the corporation’s main strengths. In the second phase, people reflect on the discovery stage’s lessons and imagine the best possible future. Next, the design stage entails devising action plans to transform the vision into a reality (Daft, 2014). Lastly, the destiny stage involves converting ideas into actual action steps.

3. Ah-ha Moment

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One of my ah-ha moments was learning about Feng Shan Ho, a Chinese diplomat who saved Jews during the Holocaust. This moment stood out because I was surprised by Ho’s moral courage and compassion towards people who were not his countrymen. After learning about Ho, I conducted further research on other ordinary people and leaders who saved the Jews from Nazis. I learned that since 1962, Israel has honored over 24,500 non-Jews from 47 countries with the Righteous Among Nations award for saving the Jews during the Holocaust (Steinfeldt, 2013).

Countries such as Ukraine also honor their 2,659 citizens who have received the Righteous Among Nations award for their heroism, and those who are still alive are awarded a monthly stipend for the rest of their lives (PR Newswire, 2021). Learning about Ho’s actions has affected my leadership mindset. I have learned the need to serve every individual with fairness and compassion even though we have no affiliation, such as belonging to the same family, country, race, gender, ethnic group, or belief system. I also learned that as a leader, I need to demonstrate moral courage by choosing to do what is right even though it means going against my superiors or facing negative consequences.

GENDER AND LEADING CHANGE

4 References

Daft, R. L. (2014). The leadership experience. Cengage Learning.

PR Newswire. (2021). Ukraine honors people who saved Jews during Holocaust at the new Babyn Yar synagogue. https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/ukraine-honorspeople-who-saved-jews-during-holocaust-at-new-babyn-yar-synagogue-826105627.html Schuh, S. C., Bark, A. S. H., Van Quaquebeke, N., Hossiep, R., Frieg, P., & Van Dick, R. (2014). Gender differences in leadership role occupancy: The mediating role of power motivation. Journal of Business Ethics, 120(3), 363-379.

Steinfeldt, I. (2013). Commemorating the Righteous Among Nations at Yad Vashem. The history of a unique program. https://journals.openedition.org/diasporas/261?lang=en Taub, A. (2020, May 15). Why are women-led nations doing better with Covid-19? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/world/coronavirus-womenleaders.html