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If we are to look at the survey results of a study conducted by the Pew Research Center as to whom between men and women make better leaders, it was confronted with a paradox.  Women prevailed over men with seven out of eight leadership habits that included honesty, intelligence, hard-work, decisiveness, ambition, compassion, outgoingness, and creativity.  Men only came out better in the aspect of decisiveness.   

Although these results were not at all surprising, the result of the main question can probably provide an answer as to why we have the kind of leaders we have today.  In spite of lording it over the survey for leadership traits, women only managed to snag a mere 6% as compared to men who get 21%.  If it’s any consolation, 69% see men and women as co-equals in leadership positions

So why the hesitancy on choosing a perceived better candidate for leadership?  In spite of the great strides accomplished by women in career development and the political arena, female CEOs and female political leaders are still too few for comfort.  If people are so sold out on the leadership abilities of women, why is it hard to translate this to an actual higher management position or office of authority?

The reasoning behind such a decision that appears to reserve the higher position in business and government for male occupancy is anchored on two main issues: that Americans are not ready to elect a women for high office and that there is a perception that women are held back by men in the area of politics.  Other given reasons pointed to discrimination faced by women, family responsibilities held by women, and lack of required experiences.  There are a few who see women as not being good enough leaders or tough enough for politics.  Apparently stereotyping also works against women for being perceived as more emotional and more manipulative.  True leadership is measured by real abilities and not by perceptions and preconceptions.

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