Barriers to Success
Ehlich (1994) cites Morrison et al. (1987) as coining the phrase,
the glass ceiling to describe the obstacles facing women managers
who wish to move up the administrative ladder. Their research cites
barriers to advancement to include such issues as lack of mentorship,
problems combining career and family, and lack of support from upper
management. These barriers work together to create an invisible
ceiling which often prevent movement from middle to senior management
or teacher to administrator. (Ehlich, 1994)
In general, women emphasize relationships, while men emphasis task
accomplishment. Women administrators interact with teachers more
frequently than men. Studies also show women to interact more
frequently with students, parents, non-parent community members,
professional colleagues and superordinates˛ (Conner & Sharp, 1992)
The concept of power is viewed quite differently as well. Women want
to develop new skills and have an impact on the organization. Power is
less enticing to women, who are very uncomfortable vying for power,
and even more uncomfortable achieving it. Women downplay their
status, and subordinates will often address them by their first names.
Women will often assume a more limited control of the agenda than men
do during a meeting. Women use power to empower.(Conner & Sharp, 1992)
Links
Homepage
Introduction
Leadership Theory
What makes Women Different
Job Satisfaction
Leadership Styles
Overall Expectations
Emotional Managers
Career Paths
Mentorship
Here Come the Women
References
Bibliography
