Kvinnligt Ledarskap eller ledarskap på kvinnors villkor En fallstudie av föreställningar om ledarskap och genus i Womentor
The purpose of this study is to investigate the perceptions of leadership and gender issues circulat- ing in Womentor leadership development programme, and to have a discussion around what conse- quences they may have on participants' careers. To answer the question I have used a qualitative approach in the form of 10 interviews and non-participant observations. The theories in this study are based on gender and leadership issues.The problem which forms the basis of this study is the underrepresentation of women at senior posi- tions. A basic assumption in this study is that notions of gender and leadership affect the individual's ability to act. The circulating concepts identified in Womentor are: The leader who wants to be a manager, The leader who gets things done, The communicative leader, Change leader, The motiva- tional leader and The leader as a role model. These leadership properties contain both of the stereo- typical perceptions of female and male. Among the required leadership skills, male stereotype char- acteristics are valued higher as they continue to give legitimacy to organisations. The conclusions concerning the implications for the adepts future careers are: Female leaders have higher demands on them than male leaders, Lack of understanding can lead to that women managers are held back in their careers, Male living conditions are governing the managerial role, Visualise women leaders and enlighten them about their situation and Taken-for- granted notions need to be questioned.