Anyone who has pondered the relatively low numbers of women in politics, top management and prominent board positions might want to take a look at a new study by the Girl Scouts.
At least part of the reason might be in how young girls perceive leadership far differently than boys.
It found significant differences between girls and boys in their attitudes toward leadership — differences that should be taken into account in trying to prepare more girls for leadership roles.
Girls are far more likely than boys to “emphasize what leadership should be used for, rather than focusing on specific roles or positions,” according to the report, “Change it up! What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership.”
The Girl Scout Research Institute study assessed the attitudes of 2,475 girls and 1,514 boys between the ages of 8 and 17.
And although neither boys nor girls were especially attracted to what the study called “conventional command and control” leadership, girls were far less inclined toward it.
Young women were drawn to leadership for reasons of purpose, as opposed to money or positions. Young girls have highly idealized visions of what a leader can do, and their mothers and peers are influential in forming their opinions on leadership.
The study found that 72 percent of the girls said a leader is someone who “brings people together to get things done.” Girls are more likely to want to become leaders to help others, to share knowledge and skills, and to change the world for the better, all noble goals deserving support.
So the challenge of moving more women into leadership spots just might be affected by understanding better how they view leadership. And, by changing the fact that many girls are their own worst critics.
The greatest single barrier to young women’s leadership potential was the girls’ self-perceptions; a lack of confidence in their own skills and competencies. Also at issue is girls’ sense that their opportunities to develop leadership skills are limited.
Obviously adults can play a large role in response to the findings, addressing the problem of girls not seeing the sort of leadership they value, valued in society.
The strength of the Girl Scout organization has long been this sort of forward-looking, shall we say — leadership.
