People, Change and Management

Past Year Exam Questions

By Chew Yang

Questions 23
“There is no such thing as a ‘female’ management style…the similarities between women
and men far outweigh the differences” (Wajcman, 1996: 333). Evaluate this statement
with reference to the existing research in this area.

Approach to answer this question

- Define what do we mean by ‘female’ management style.
- State the similarities and differences between women and men in
management style. Quote some examples.
- Evaluate them and state my view whether I support this statement or not.
- Conclusion

Answer (point form)

Definition
- “Female” management style refers to the style associate with female
gender and their characteristic of management.

Differences
- Female gender are described as transformational and interactive because
they actively encourage participation, share power and information,
enhance the self-worth of others and stimulate enthusiasm about work.
Where male gender are described as masculine, command-and-control and
directive and more committed in their work.

- Female gender are known to have the ‘abilities’ to multi-task and handle
different tasks simultaneously as compared to male gender who are known
to be more focus and single task oriented.

- Female gender usually play the supporting role at home and has the
responsibilities to raise kids, this has influenced them to be more power
oriented at office and in their style of management. Male gender usually
play the role of financial earner at home, this has influenced them to be
more financial benefit oriented at work.
Similarities
- However, both genders are seen to be equal, especially more so in modern
years where we see more female being employed in senior management
role in the company.

- In an organization, normally the promotion comes within internal and this

has given equal opportunity for both gender to fight for their promotion
with their capabilities.

- As we do see more female gender that goes to school and received same or
similar educational and went through same system, their management style
development will be similar.

Conclusion
- In my view, I see that there are more female getting senior position in management of
organization as well as for the country.
Examples are Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of United Kingdom
Condoleeza Rice, Secretary of State, USA
Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Senator

I would say the way they manage their role in not because of their gender but because
of their great leadership. There is no such thing as ‘female’ management style. Both
gender are of equal and have too much similarities and therefore we can’t really
specifically differentiate the different style of management with respect to gender. Each

individual has their own style of management and each has their own weakness and
strength.

In the past, male manager are perceived to be ‘masculine’ in natural, directive, “I tell
you and you do it” style are of the past. Now we see more leaders adopting the more
‘femine’ style of management which are perceived to be more interactive, power
sharing, caring in nature which had proven to be the better approach in modern
organization. The more so we can’t differentiate whether there are actually an ‘female’
style or ‘male’ style of management. Both seems to have merged and developed an
hybrid style of management.