Women Managers and their Subordinates

This study examines how women managers are perceived by their subordinates within formal organizations. In a context where there is a perception that women are not competent enough to manage men, this is believed to influence the behaviour of women managers and how subordinates describe and relate to them. Attempts have been made to compare women and men managers in terms of personal characteristics, style of influence and performances to determine whether women managers are described based on lack of competence or are gender stereotyped. The results portray that there is no significant difference in the managerial behavior of men and women except where subordinates expected them to exhibit specific behaviors. The study therefore suggests that activities in educational institutions and organizations should be favorable enough to motivate women to enter managerial positions.