Are women the future of management?

At a time when companies are bemoaning the lack of enthusiasm for the managerial function, and when the younger generations expect managers to behave differently from the previous generation, could women be the future of management?

For the new generations, a manager whose authority is purely statutory is unlikely to succeed. Young people want a manager whom they respect for his or her competence, and who will develop their own skills.

We have moved from an authority based on status and control, which was not debatable, to an authority based on competence and inspiring management. This requires an authentic, respectful, honest, humble, transparent and close support posture. In short, benevolent and inspiring management... A transformation that represents a real challenge for companies!

However, a new study by the EDHEC NewGen Talent Centre, which examined nearly 66,000 personality and motivation tests, reveals that women's professional behavior is authentic, flexible, sensitive and altruistic. In other words, attitudes that are all assets in the face of these new managerial expectations...

The strength of this study lies in the originality of its methodology. It does not use a specific questionnaire for women on their ability and willingness to manage, which inevitably leads to bias, but rather examines the answers to tests taken by individuals to find out more about themselves.

Emotional intelligence

Women inspire trust: committed to transparency (+12%) and authenticity, women are 13% more inclined than men to be objective in their professional dealings. Women are more sincere, and therefore more likely to enjoy the trust of their superiors and colleagues. What's more, this tendency is reinforced by experience, making it easier for them to manage.

They are also better mediators in conflict situations. In fact, they are more likely to find common ground, and 13% more flexible than men at work. This greater ability to resolve conflicts is undoubtedly reinforced by their greater extroversion than men (+8%). This extraversion tends to increase slightly with age, and will be essential in managerial negotiation situations.

Compared to men, women are 38% more likely to show emotional sensitivity at work. With the ability to be as calm and distant as they are passionate, depending on the situation, women find it easier to access their emotions. This inclination enables them to demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence and empathy, essential qualities for managers, especially the new generations who are keen to receive regular feedback on their work.

Finally, on a behavioral level, women are more instinctive when it comes to making decisions. They have a better grasp of situations and don't hesitate to call on their intuition. Coupled with their past experience, this inclination can facilitate the fluidity of managerial decisions.

Do women really want to manage?

Whereas men have a stronger preference for competition, women are more interested in stable situations. They declare that they prefer professional stability (+17% compared to men) to professional advancement. While this attitude may not always be conducive to career advancement, it does reflect greater loyalty and loyalty to their company, which is essential if they are to assume a managerial role.

They are also more likely to make the most of their professional situation and, as such, set an example for younger generations who tend to be impatient when things aren't perfect in their jobs.

While women seek clear directives and feedback from their superiors, they are also more open to criticism and questioning, an interesting characteristic for modernized management. They also more readily accept a highly structured environment, which is reassuring for large organizations still struggling to break free.

Finally, in terms of integration and team spirit, women prefer altruistic behavior (+14% compared to men). This makes them an asset when it comes to welcoming, integrating and motivating new employees, a key concern for managers worldwide.

In conclusion, if this study can confirm women's ability to manage, it should also convince companies of their motivation to take on these responsibilities, and thus resolve this crisis in managerial vocations. Women are the future of management.

This contribution is based on the study entitled "Women and careers: what are their assets and motivations?" published in February 2020.

This article is republished from The Conversation under Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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