Leadership - Does Gender Matter Essay Example for Free

Leadership Does Gender Matter Essay Does gender affect the ability of an individual to become an effective leader? Some researchers believe that effective leaders are just born while others believe that effective leadership can be learned. But few of these researchers discuss the difference that gender may make in becoming good leaders. When we take a look back through history, we can see that the evaluation of women leaders was slow. Today, only 2. 4 percent (Gettings, Johnson, Brunner, Frantz, 2009) of the Fortune 500 Companys are lead by women which is an increase from the 1. percent (www. money. cnn. com) of female Chief Executive Officers in 2002. The gender differences in the corporate world posses several issues for the Human Resource Managers such as management style differences, pay equity, promotion fairness, and work-life balance. Women began entering the workforce in the late 1800s. During that time, women were employed in what society considered female specific careers such as teachers, nurses, and seamstresses and women made up a very small portion of the workforce. This all changed with the on-set of World War II. While the men left to fulfill their military obligations, women stepped up to the plate and filled positions in industrial factories across the nation doing jobs typically performed by men. Following World War II, many females continued to work and over the decades have set career aspirations which have led them to the top. As time went on, it became obvious that the gender differences in the work place required Human Resource Management intervention. Historically, the workplace was predominantly masculine when it came to organizational theory. Organizations were structured on centralized authority, specialization and expertise, and division of labor. Aggressive and dominating leadership styles became less popular among organizations. The era of masculine leadership styles then gave way to the newly desired feminine way (Lowen, 2007) of leading. In the late 1900s, organizations became more feminine in nature utilizing concepts such as delegation of authority, collaboration, and empowerment. In addition, interpersonal relations became a focus for organizations and such things as trust, openness and concern for the whole person kicked off the feminization of leadership (Frankel, 2007) and in 1963 the Equal Pay Act was created which mandated equal pay, regardless of gender, for workers performing the same job. This became extremely important as women began to hold top level positions within organizations. Women possess many gender specific qualities and characteristics which enhance their leader effectiveness in todays feminized leadership. According to a study conducted by Caliper, a Princeton based management consulting group, women leaders are more empathic, flexible and possess stronger interpersonal skills. The strong interpersonal skills of women enable them to be objective in taking in information from all sides and then take this information and weighing the concerns and objectives of their people. Empathy and genuine concern make subordinates feel valued, supporte d, and understood. In addition, this same study noted that women were able to be more persuasive and assertive in taking risks as compared to their male counter parts. This often leads to women coming up with more innovative solutions to problems, and ultimately, getting things accomplished. Many studies conducted across the country within various businesses have concluded that women executives are rated higher than men in the areas of producing high quality work, setting and achieving goals, and mentoring subordinates (Sharpe, 2000). These studies also found that women were not as concerned with self-interest as men and did not accomplish tasks or achieve goals based on what was in it for them, but instead for the mere enjoyment of their success. It is this type of attitude which inspires companies to employee women in their executive positions. In addition, one of the areas in these studies showed that women excelled at teamwork and motivating teams in getting results. But these studies also included areas where men were stronger such as strategic and technical ability. Men also seemed to be better at giving punishment and were found to issue double the amount of punishments as compared to women. With so many differences in management styles between men and women, it was necessary for Human Resource Managers to design diversity programs which included education on gender differences, as well as, racism, discrimination, etc. Women are slowly making their way into the corporate ranks of Fortune 500 Companies. According to CNN Money, there are currently 13 female Chief Executive Officers in the Fortune 500 and 26 female Chief Executive Officers in the Fortune 1,000. Believe it or not, the number of female Chief Executive Officers has doubled compared to 5 years ago when there were only 6 female Chief Executive Officers in the Fortune 500. But, if women make equally effective leaders as compared to men, then why are there so few employed in top management positions? In Tischler’s article â€Å"Where are the Women? ,† she talks about how women â€Å"scale† back their work in exchange for a balanced personal life (Tischler, 2007). She also discusses the competiveness of men compared to women and how that might contribute to the larger number of men holding top executive level positions. Most often, women simply dont want to deal with the work-life balance. Top executives put in grueling long days and their lives are controlled by the companys success or failure. Women have a natural instinct to nurture and often put their family life before their career. When I read Morris’ article, â€Å"Trophy Husbands,† it made me stop and think how husbands could assist in helping their spouse to balance the work-life balance. In Morris’ article, she discusses how husbands have given up their careers to assist their female spouses in reaching the top (Morris, 2002). I think that this is a huge step in elevating women to the top ranks of the corporate world. These husbands stepped down for many reasons, but some stepped down because they knew their wives had the potential and determination to fill these top positions. They were supportive and wanted to assist by elevating any family related stress by ensuring that things on the home front were taken care of. In fact, although the number of female Chief Executive Officers appears to be low, the truth is women are successful leaders. There are over 9 million women-owned businesses in the United States and women hold over 45 percent of the managerial positions within large corporations. Indeed, women can and are successful at leading. Yet there is still a large difference in the pay scale of female and male executives. Is it simply a blatant decisions that these companies make, or is it a simply mistake because these organizations do not have an established pay scale system? Human Resource Managers need to be cognizant of pay differences and promotion bias. According to Stites article, one way to avoid this dilemma is to establish systematic pay systems, ensure equal access to promotions, and document discrepancies with legitimate business reasons (Stites, May 2005). So, does gender matter when considering leadership effectiveness? According to the text, men and women are equally effective at leading, but each gender utilizes different styles in their leadership abilities (Northouse, 2007). It is my position that gender is neutral. Males and females can both possess the skills necessary to be effective leaders and I believe that women can lead companies to success just as well as men. To be an effective leader, one must know how and when to apply the many different styles and characteristics to each unique situation. Both men and women have unique qualities about them, but the ability to learn from the opposite gender will enhance ones leadership abilities. I believe that men and women can combine and adapt their unique styles of leadership to maximize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses within the workplace. Regardless of gender, developing a leadership style is a difficult and challenging feat for all managers. In researching the many definitions of leadership, I have determined that leaders are defined as those who inspire workers and develop their skills and creativity to achieve goals. Of the many definitions I read, not one referred to male or female gender when defining a leader. Male or female gender shouldnt matter when it comes to determining an individuals ability to lead. The Human Resource Manager must ensure that they are concerned and aware of the gender differences and difficulties which must be dealt with in the business world. Indeed, gender does matter, especially since women have become a large percentage of the work force and are now moving up the corporate ladder into top level positions. Gender differences create many issues that Human Resource Managers must be able to prevent, mitigate, and/or resolve. Today’s Human Resource Management education programs have increased the ability of individuals to fill these vital management positions. In order for Human Resource Managers to accomplish this task, they must be aware of gender specific management styles, pay equity, promotion fairness, and work-life balance.

Chinese Immigration Essay -- Anti-Chinese Immigration Policy

In many aspects, the motivations for the Chinese to come to the United States were similar to those of most immigrants. Some came to "The Gold Mountain," and others came to the United States to seek better economic opportunity. Yet there were others that were compelled to leave China either as contract laborers or refugees. The Chinese brought with them their language, culture, social institutions, and customs. Over time they made lasting contributions to their adopted country and became a vital part of the United States population (Immigration Station). Upon hearing the word of gold in California, thousands of Chinese, mostly young male peasants, left their villages in the rural countries to become rich in the American West. Few actually were able to strike it rich, and laws were put on immigrants who tried to strike it rich. The law was a high tax, $10, on miners who were immigrants to discourage them from venturing into the mines. When their pursuit at wealth through the gold mines failed, they then decided to become laborers. They were recruited to extract metals and minerals, construct a vast railroad network, reclaim swamplands, build irrigation systems, work as migrant agricultural laborers, develop the fishing industry, and operate highly-competitive manufacturing industries. During this time, 1890, the Chinese population in the United States was about 110,000. During this great flood of immigrants into the United States, anti-immigrant attitudes and stereotypes began to form (A Brief History). Angel Island Most immigrants entering the country came through New York, and passed through Ellis Island, the famous immigrant station located in New York harbor. It was necessary to build a new station on the west coast. The new station was to be located 1 mile east of Ayala Cove, in California. This place was called Angel Island, or the à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Guardian of the Western Gate.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This set of buildings was primarily set up to control the number of Chinese that entered the United States. It was primarily a detention center, because Chinese were not allowed into the United States, due to the Exclusion Act of 1882 (Immigration Station 1) Figure 1. Shows why it was easier to go to California, rather than to take a longer trip. If going to New York, they might even have to sail around the edge of South America (Gillaspie 1). The Chinese Exclusion Act Throughout mo... ... easy task. This task involved persistence, patience, and perseverance. Most importantly, the Chinese contributed themselves and their heritage to this ethically diverse collection of cultures known as United States of America (A Brief History of Chinese Immigration to America 3). Works Cited Archives of the West from 1877-1887: Documents on Anti-Chinese Immigration Policy. New Perspectives on the West. 1 December 2014. A Brief History of Chinese Immigration to America.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? American Heritage Project. 2000.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5 December 2014.   Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚   Anderson, Dorothy et al. American Immigration; Abolitionist Newspapers-Chinese.U.S. Grolier Educational, 1999. 27-39, 86-92. Immigration Station. Angel Island. 1998. 23 November 2014. Luu, Amy. The Chinese American Experience. Chinese American Museum. 1999. 5 December 2014. Norton, Henry. The Chinese. Museum of the City of San Francisco. 2002.   5 December 2014. Swerdlow, Joel L. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“New Yorkerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Chinatown.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? National Geographic.  August 1998. 59-77. 18 November 2014. Twain, Mark Mark Twains Observation about Chinese Immigration in California. Rise of Industrial America, 1876-1900 2003. 18 November 2014.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  .

Developing the Future of Flight (Aerospace Engineering)

Developing the Future of Flight Aerospace engineering is the field of engineering dealing with the design, development, construction, testing, and operation of vehicles operating in the Earth’s atmosphere or in outer space (Stanzione). Aerospace engineers can work on many different vehicles from aircraft to deep diving vessels to high speed trains. The vast knowledge in aerodynamics, propulsion systems, structural design, materials, avionics, and stability allows them to work on just about anything. To become an aerospace engineer one must complete a bachelor’s degree program, usually in aerospace or aeronautical engineering.Then college graduates must take two examinations and accumulate four years of work experience in order to become a licensed professional engineer (PE). Graduates earn the title of engineer in training (EIT) after completing the first exam, which can be taken any time after schooling is complete. EITs may then begin on-the-job training to further th eir experience and understanding of aeronautical engineering. Once EITs have completed the required experience, the next step would be taking the second exam to become a professional aerospace engineer (education-portal. om). According to engineeringdegrees101. com, the median salary for aerospace engineers in 2011 is $92,000. When one first enters the world of aerospace engineering, one will start out as an aerospace engineer I. This is called the entry level. The average salary for an entry level engineer is $62,213 per year. After one has worked in this field for two to four years, an aerospace engineer II will be the next step up. Anyone at this stage is now considered an intermediate level engineer and will take home an average salary of $84,537 per year.Soon after this promotion comes the next promotion, and aerospace engineer III. At this point people at this level now earn $91,945 per year. After working in this career for five to eight years one will move up to an aerospace engineer IV where the yearly salary is $98,630. Three years later and the final promotion comes, an aerospace engineer V. At this level the annual take home pay is $119,993 in one year (1. salary. com). As an aerospace engineer I-V, one will design and supervise the construction of aircrafts and the parts that make these monsters.These engineers will be given the task to analyze results of stress tests on various aircraft and missile parts and conduct research to determine flight characteristics. As a level one engineer, one will rely on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job, and can plan on working under immediate supervision. Level two engineers will rely on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals, and perform a variety of tasks while working under general supervision.As a level three engineer, one will rely on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals while performing a variety of complicated tasks. As a l evel four and five, engineers will rely on extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals and perform a variety of tasks, and now get to lead and direct the work of others as a reward for all the hard work put in through out the years (1. salary. com). Sciencebuddies. org says that most aerospace engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or plants, but not all work indoors.Some may work outdoors at construction or test sites monitoring or directing operations. Other engineers spend countless hours away from home traveling from worksite to worksite all around the world overseeing the production of things or having to fix problems. Many engineers work forty hour weeks, but sometimes deadlines on a project will force them to work longer hours in order to get the project done on time. When students are in college, or fresh out of college, and do not have a job or any extra money, one solution would be doing an internship.Internships will often offer several thous and dollars to be used for education related expenses, or just to spend however the intern wishes. Students that are planning to go into aerospace engineering can do internships with related companies such as NASA, Boeing, and Lockheed. Such companies would love to have a young adult come in and start learning the way things are done, knowing that some of the best workers are going to be leaving and are in need of people to take these veterans’ place.Perhaps the greatest benefit of the aerospace industry for professionals is in terms of annual salary. Aerospace engineers, for example, make $92,000 annually on average. This salary is the base salary for engineers, with many companies providing profit sharing and other plans that bring the annual salary up. Another important benefit for aerospace professionals of all types is the basic health, dental, and vision benefits. Most major aerospace companies provide extensive health and medical benefits, which are investments on the company’s part toward a healthier and more productive workforce.Dental and vision benefits are nice perks for aerospace professionals and those with families can usually include children and spouses on their plans. While salary and basic benefits are great ways for aerospace professionals to offset the stresses of the job, there are a number of other perks that keep talented workers in the industry. Many aerospace companies provide consumer loans to the employees for the purchase of automobiles, condominiums, and other living necessities. Finally, commercial and civilian aerospace companies will often provide airline discounts for workers and immediate families.Finally, there are two mainstays of the aerospace industry which are crucial for professionals to stay at jobs over a long period of time. Most aerospace companies provide paid leave, typically four to six weeks annually, which is meant to give professionals time to unwind and leave the desks or work stations for a lit tle while. As well, a long term human resources investment for these companies comes with the pension program. Aerospace companies will often match a certain level of employee contributions in order to keep skilled workers from leaving for jobs with rival companies.Works Cited Page â€Å"Aerospace Engineering — Britannica Online Encyclopedia. † Encyclopedia – Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Ed. Kaydon A. Stanzione. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"Aeronautical Engineer: Educational Requirements. † Research Schools, Online Courses, Degrees and Careers at Education Portal. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"Engineer Salary – How Much Do Engineers

Paradaise Lost by John Milton Essay - 750 Words

Eve in the Garden of Eden The most important characters in the epic poem, â€Å"Paradise Lost†, are Satan and Eve. These two characters are most responsible for the development and progression of events within the poem. Satan is the main figure throughout the vast majority of the plot. â€Å"Paradise Lost† follows Satan’s ultimately successful attempt to destroy God’s perfect creation, humanity, by forcing Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. In creating humanity, God set expectations and put in place boundaries for Adam and Eve, yet they were not particularly restrictive. Adam and Eve had free reign within the boundaries of the Garden, and free will to make their own decisions, though there were few necessary. Milton writes in Book 3,†¦show more content†¦Adam was the image and glory of God, Eve the glory of a man. While Eve may have been created inferior, she is well developed within the poem. When Eve is created, her first action is to follow a stream and â €Å"...to look into the clear/Smooth lake, that to me seemed another sky† (4.458-59). This action has been interpreted as vanity, but it is perhaps more of an innocent action. It is not unreasonable to assume that looking at a reflection of yourself for the first time would be captivating. Eve had no way of knowing that the figure was herself so it is less of a vain action. Many of the differences between Adam and Eve can be seen in their respective creation stories. Adam wakes up â€Å"in balmy sweat† that beams of sunshine soon dried (8.255). Immediately he looks up at heaven, and â€Å"by instinctive motion† (8.259) stood up and studied the surrounding environment. Adam is graced with instinct. By contrast, Eve wakes up â€Å"under a shade of flowers† (4.451) and looks to heaven in a pool of water. Adam was created with more knowledge than was Eve. For example, Adam names each of the animals that is brought forth instinctively. Another major d ifference is that a â€Å"divine shape† appears to Adam, but not to Eve. The image that Eve sees is her own, and while Adam hears the voice of God, it is not clear whose voice Eve hears. Eve deduces from experience while it seems Adam was given information when created. Eve is weak to flattery, leading to her downfall.Show MoreRelatedParadaise Lost by John Milton Essay1299 Words   |  6 PagesPART ONE: John Milton is the greatest poet of all time. Oddly enough, he wanted to be as great as Homer or Virgil and be remembered like they were. Milton had this thing called Photographic Memory, so he remembered everything he had ever read. He even spends six straight years just reading every book he could get his hands on. However, he ended up becoming blind because when he did read the only lighting he had was candle light so he literally read his eyes out. Yet, this was before he could doRead MoreParadaise Lost by John Milton and The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighierie1821 Words   |  8 PagesIt has been commonly accepted that John Milton is acquainted with Dante Alighieri who has a great influence on Milton’s epic Paradise Lost. The significance of The Divine Comedy for Milton lies especially in Dante’s Inferno and Purgatorio. Scholars1 have quoted plentiful echoes of Dante throughout Milton’s works, and have compared these two great poets for centuries. In the 19 th century Mary Shelley employed a cluster of images and ideas from Milton’s Paradise Lost (especially from Book Ten) in Frankenstein