The point of view of male collaborators when leadership is female

Global and Italian perceptions and the point of view of male collaborators when leadership is female

Cultural Perceptions in Italy and the World

Cultural perceptions of female leadership vary greatly. In general, Men still tend to be seen more “naturally” as leaders than women, due to persistent gender stereotypes, there are differences between countries: for example, an international index (Reykjavik Index) that measures how much women and men consider themselves equally suited to leadership roles shows very high scores in countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom (81 out of 100, indicating very equal opinions), while Italy is lower (index 68). This means that there is still more bias on female leadership** compared to the most virtuous nations, although the data is improving (it was 63 in 2018, then rose to 68).

Also noteworthy are the diffractional: contrary to what one might think, young men tend to have a less progressive vision than their female peers. In the G7 countries, men aged 18-34 show an average index of only 67 points (against 76 for young women), a sign that the male team membersor greater skepticism about the suitability of female leaders than younger women. This generation gap suggests that stereotypes may still be internalized by younger male leaders, influencing their attitudes toward female leaders.

In Italy, however, it is also found an appreciable opening towards female leadership. A recent SWG/Amazon survey revealed an interesting fact: 65% of female workers and 47% of Italian workers are convinced that female leadership is more effective (or at least better) than the male one. Although today only one interviewee in four has a female boss, almost half would prefer to have a female manager as their head . This suggests that many Italians recognize positive leadership qualities and would have no problem working under a female leadership. In fact, in the common perception, female leadership excels on many fronts: not only for interpersonal skills, but even in the ability to achieve business goals and in charisma. In other words, Women leaders are credited with both strong performance and effectiveness.

Career Impacts of Female Leaders and Male Employees

Women managers

Female careers in managerial positions still face significant obstacles. From a quantitative point of view, the presence of women at the top is a minority both in Italy and in the world. Suffice it to say that in Europe women represent only 34.8% of managers, and Italy is at the bottom with approximately the 29% of women managers in 2023 .

This poor representation is a symptom of more difficult career paths, research highlights how women often have to face the famous “glass ceiling” [The “glass ceiling” is a metaphor describing an invisible barrier that prevents women (and other underrepresented groups) from reaching leadership positions or senior roles in organizations, despite having the necessary skills and experience.] . In an Italian survey of female executives and managers, well 77% believes that male colleagues are more likely to be promoted all other things being equal, and 90% believes that a female manager gets lower pay increases than a man if promoted.

It must be said, however, that the presence of female leaders can have **positive impacts on international organizations, suggesting that teams led by women show on average higher levels of employee engagement.

Male collaborators

For male team members working with a female manager, career progression depends a lot on individual and cultural attitudes. Objectively speaking, having a female boss does not penalize men's career prospects.: for example, a study of a large dataset of schools showed that male teachers under female principals do not experience worse professional conditions than those under male principals.

However, For those who harbor prejudices or role insecurities, the situation may be different. Some female-led individuals have a hard time accepting female authority for cultural reasons, which paradoxically can lead to self-sabotage your own career.

A study has revealed a worrying fact: when a woman rises to management, the turnover of male team members increases – more workers (especially men) are resigning or requesting a transfer under female managers compared to their male-bossed colleagues.

In summary, the impact for male collaborators depends on their ability to adapt: those who recognize the value of the feminine can benefit professionally; those who allow themselves to be influenced by stereotypes risk limiting their own path.

Team Dynamics With a Woman in Charge

The presence of a female leader can influence the team's management style and interpersonal dynamics. Many studies indicate that, on average, Women in leadership adopt more collaborative and people-oriented leadership styles compared to their male colleagues.

From the perspective of men in operational roles with respect to a manager, those who are initially skeptical often change their opinion once female leadership is mentioned. Direct exposure to inclusive and effective leadership helps reduce bias .

In conclusion, the dynamics of female leadership seen through the eyes of male collaborators is a heterogeneous field: many work with their female managers, actually benefiting from it in terms of professional growth and human enrichment, while a part – influenced by gender stereotypes or identity insecurities – may show resistance. Addressing these resistances openly is crucial. both to support the careers of female managers and to educate male professionals to work in diverse teams.