FEMININE LEADERSHIP, OR HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT BEING ONE OF THE BOYS

by Marilyn Loden ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 16, 1985

This book does not actually instruct anyone on how to succeed without being one of the boys. It makes a strong case for feminine leadership, giving encouraging examples of women managers who wear dresses, nurture their subordinates, compete for the good of the company, and use their intuition. While the author does note that some highly successful women function similarly to their male colleagues, and a few are even able to ""out macho"" most of the men with whom they work, she found ""the vast majority of women managers did not seem comfortable with the traditional leadership style used within most corporations.""Loden also makes a strong case against women trying to adapt themselves to a traditional masculine style of leadership. As one woman banker put it:"". . .I understand why I feel so uncomfortable in my job. I've been trying to change my whole approach. . .my style. . .to prove to my boss that I'm as smart and as competent as my male peers. It's like trying to write with your left hand after you've been using the right one for 30 years."" Comparing today's feminine leaders with new immigrants, Loden writes, ""As strangers in a strange land, they compensate for their ignorance of the local customs by focusing their energies on the things they do well. For the vast majority hard work becomes the key to satisfaction and success."" This work ethic and refusal to play politics in the corporation has led many female managers into entrepreneurship. Increasing numbers of women have gone into their own businesses and left corporations behind which they considered to be ""dens of mediocrity."" While making a strong case for feminine leadership, Loden recognizes that the combination of masculine and feminine styles would be best for curing the ills of corporate America. The feminine model of leadership would contribute a ""cooperative"" style to the male ""competitive"" style. As proof that feminine leadership warrants its rightful place, Loden cites a study which found that men who relied more heavily on intuition were those in top management. ""In their approach to problem-solving, it seems that women managers and top male executives have much in common."" And there is more proof where that came from in this well-thought-out work.

Pub Date: Oct. 16, 1985

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Times Books

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION