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“Women are being judged more,
even by other women,” says Valerie
Young, Ed.D., author of
The Secret
Thoughts of Successful Women
.
Leadership is hard work, and the
glass ceiling thrives in corporations and
sometimes in our heads as well. Self-
doubt and fear of new titles and height-
ened responsibility prevent many
women from stepping up to leadership
roles.
GGRESSIVE, ASSERTIVE, BOSSY,
brusque, calculating, careerist. These are some
of the ABCs often used to describe powerful
women. That list leaves out ice queen, emotional, weak, tough,
masculine and more. Male leaders are seen as commanding and
in control, strong, decisive, confident and outspoken—all traits
of effective leaders—but the negative stereotypes continue to
exist for women in leadership roles. Labels and unrealistic
expectations can get in the way for followers as well as for
women attempting to move up through the leadership ranks.
A
NAVIGATING THE TIGHTROPE
11 UNMISTAKABLE TRAITS FOR ASPIRING WOMEN LEADERS
BY KATHY FINNERTY THOMAS
FEBRUARY 2016 •
PPB
• 21
INNOVATE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT