In the intricate tapestry of human progress, leadership emerges as a crucial thread woven by minds of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, we realize the narrative of leadership is incomplete without exploring the unique contributions and challenges faced by women in leadership roles. This chapter embarks on a journey to unravel the multifaceted dimensions of female leadership, delving into the remarkable traits, daunting challenges, and inspiring stories that shape the leadership landscape for women. Female leadership encompasses a distinctive blend of skills and perspectives, enriching the fabric of effective leadership. Advocating for the integration of female leadership, rather than its segregation, emphasizes the untapped potential women bring. Focusing on female leadership is pivotal for promoting gender equality and enhancing organizational and societal well-being by understanding and addressing the challenges encountered by female leaders. This chapter uncovers narratives of resilience, innovation, and empowerment. To comprehend the present, it is imperative to acknowledge the past. From ancient matriarchal societies to the struggles of the suffragette movement, history witnesses the gradual evolution of women's roles in leadership. Understanding this historical context provides a lens to appreciate progress made and identify persistent barriers yet to be dismantled. Female leadership brings diversity of thought, experience, and perspective to decision-making processes. Embracing female leadership fosters an environment where different viewpoints can prosper, leading to more comprehensive problem-solving and strategic planning. The relevance of gender diversity has been emphasized by research, evidencing its positive impact on business performance, particularly in terms of innovation. Studies by Herring (2009) and Catalyst (2011) further underscore the correlation between gender diversity and organizational outcomes. Scholars like Eagly & Carli (2007) and Kochan et al. (2003) highlight the positive relationship between gender diversity in leadership and improved organizational performance, including higher financial returns and better employee satisfaction. Female leaders often excel in interpersonal skills, empathy, and communication, contributing to higher levels of employee engagement. Employees are more likely to feel valued, understood, and supported in a work environment where female leadership is acknowledged and encouraged. In many industries, women constitute a significant portion of the consumer base. Having women in leadership positions enables organizations to better understand and respond to the needs of their diverse customer base, leading to improved market responsiveness and customer satisfaction. Global efforts toward gender diversity in leadership include countries and organizations implementing legal and ethical frameworks for equal opportunities. The European Institute for Gender Equality and the Global Gender Gap Report, published annually by the World Economic Forum, assess the effectiveness of initiatives and provide insights into gender disparities and societal progress. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) offers a toolkit for women's economic empowerment, including leadership strategies, while the European Commission outlines key actions for gender equality in various sectors, emphasizing policy initiatives and legal frameworks for achieving gender parity. Research on female leadership is integral to advancing broader goals of social and economic equality, exploring the challenges and opportunities women face in leadership roles, advocating for societal change and strategies to advance women's leadership across sectors. In conclusion, studying female leadership transcends addressing gender disparities; it is about leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to leadership roles, ultimately enriching organizations and societies alike. This chapter will present examples of well-known female leaders, highlighting the resilience, innovation, and empowerment of women who have achieved top leadership positions.
Raoli, E., Magnanelli, B. S., Female Leadership, in Agostini Maris, A. M., Beretta Valentin, B. V., Demartini Chiar, D. C., Ghio Alessandr, G. A., Trucco Sar, T. S. (ed.), Diversity and Equity in Accounting, Springer, Cham, Svizzera 2025: 175- 187 [https://hdl.handle.net/10807/311676]
Female Leadership
Raoli, Elisa
;Magnanelli, Barbara Sveva
2025
Abstract
In the intricate tapestry of human progress, leadership emerges as a crucial thread woven by minds of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, we realize the narrative of leadership is incomplete without exploring the unique contributions and challenges faced by women in leadership roles. This chapter embarks on a journey to unravel the multifaceted dimensions of female leadership, delving into the remarkable traits, daunting challenges, and inspiring stories that shape the leadership landscape for women. Female leadership encompasses a distinctive blend of skills and perspectives, enriching the fabric of effective leadership. Advocating for the integration of female leadership, rather than its segregation, emphasizes the untapped potential women bring. Focusing on female leadership is pivotal for promoting gender equality and enhancing organizational and societal well-being by understanding and addressing the challenges encountered by female leaders. This chapter uncovers narratives of resilience, innovation, and empowerment. To comprehend the present, it is imperative to acknowledge the past. From ancient matriarchal societies to the struggles of the suffragette movement, history witnesses the gradual evolution of women's roles in leadership. Understanding this historical context provides a lens to appreciate progress made and identify persistent barriers yet to be dismantled. Female leadership brings diversity of thought, experience, and perspective to decision-making processes. Embracing female leadership fosters an environment where different viewpoints can prosper, leading to more comprehensive problem-solving and strategic planning. The relevance of gender diversity has been emphasized by research, evidencing its positive impact on business performance, particularly in terms of innovation. Studies by Herring (2009) and Catalyst (2011) further underscore the correlation between gender diversity and organizational outcomes. Scholars like Eagly & Carli (2007) and Kochan et al. (2003) highlight the positive relationship between gender diversity in leadership and improved organizational performance, including higher financial returns and better employee satisfaction. Female leaders often excel in interpersonal skills, empathy, and communication, contributing to higher levels of employee engagement. Employees are more likely to feel valued, understood, and supported in a work environment where female leadership is acknowledged and encouraged. In many industries, women constitute a significant portion of the consumer base. Having women in leadership positions enables organizations to better understand and respond to the needs of their diverse customer base, leading to improved market responsiveness and customer satisfaction. Global efforts toward gender diversity in leadership include countries and organizations implementing legal and ethical frameworks for equal opportunities. The European Institute for Gender Equality and the Global Gender Gap Report, published annually by the World Economic Forum, assess the effectiveness of initiatives and provide insights into gender disparities and societal progress. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) offers a toolkit for women's economic empowerment, including leadership strategies, while the European Commission outlines key actions for gender equality in various sectors, emphasizing policy initiatives and legal frameworks for achieving gender parity. Research on female leadership is integral to advancing broader goals of social and economic equality, exploring the challenges and opportunities women face in leadership roles, advocating for societal change and strategies to advance women's leadership across sectors. In conclusion, studying female leadership transcends addressing gender disparities; it is about leveraging the unique strengths and perspectives that women bring to leadership roles, ultimately enriching organizations and societies alike. This chapter will present examples of well-known female leaders, highlighting the resilience, innovation, and empowerment of women who have achieved top leadership positions.
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