Research from Turknett Leadership Group shows that women underestimate themselves.

Female Managers Are As Good Or Better Than Men - But They Don't Know It Or Show It

(Atlanta, Georgia) Recent research from Turknett Leadership Group in Atlanta shows that female managers rate higher than male managers on 25 of 47 managerial and leadership competencies, and as good as male managers on 21 of the 47 categories. Significantly, the only competency women score lower on is self-esteem.

According to Randall H. Lucius, Ph.D., research director of Turknett Leadership Group, each person participating in the study had up to 15 subordinates, peers and superiors rate them on 47 leadership behaviors including thoroughness, flexibility, delegation, motivating others, and dependability. The categories in which women scored the same as men include analytical ability, creativity, risk taking, objectivity, interpersonal relations, conflict management, vision, ambition, and sociability. The categories in which they scored higher include developing subordinates, self-discipline, strategic planning, decisiveness, and inspirational role model, which is the leading predictor of overall leadership strength.

"The only category women scored lower in was self-esteem," says Dr. Lucius, "which was defined in the study as a high level of self-worth and confidence. This research finding is supportive of other evidence that shows women tend to underestimate their abilities in comparison to men. One wonders if the fact that women tend to project a lack of confidence is one contributor to the continuing existence of the glass ceiling. Women have every right to feel as confident as men. They have the abilities to back it up."

Another caveat: Women without confidence tend to limit themselves when making personal career choices. "A lack of confidence is self-limiting when it comes to career planning," says Back To Main Women In Leadership Area