Numbers Don’t Lie: Male vs Female Leadership in the United States

Abstract

This paper addresses gender differences and females’ leadership in the United States as represented by holding top-management positions such as top executive jobs at Fortune 500 or Fortune 1000 U.S. companies. In this paper, I argue that women are still under-represented in top-management because of the glass ceiling phenomenon and gender discrimination. However, more women are pursuing higher education; which was found to help individuals become more successful leaders. In addition, female managers tend to follow transformational and interpersonal styles of leadership which are desirable in today’s business environment. Education and the style of leadership which women follow can help female managers reach top-management positions.