Stereotypes of gender identity, behavior, and physical appearance negatively influence the perception of woman roles in management, which can result in discrimination. Women are sidelined in the leadership positions because of their gender, which has continuously locked them out from competing with their male counterparts. The stereotype upon women has disadvantaged women from advancing up the social ladder in terms of promotions in taking managerial responsibilities.
Corporate organizations have been biasing towards men, and this makes them disadvantaged women in their responsibilities. Stereotypes based on gender have disadvantaged women through misjudgment in regard to their talents. The stereotype against women dictates the kind of responsibilities assigned to them despite their talents and aptitudes. The same applies to women discriminated on certain behaviors they depict. Women who have some responsibilities at home are discriminated from assuming certain roles in the organization.
Biasness based on gender stereotypes has continuously led to a misrepresentation of women leadership in the management position (Karsten, 2006). This affects the decision made by women leaders more so those in the management positions. Therefore, it is upon the organizations to take actions, which eradicate this stereotype and bias to bring equality in the organization. This will involve taking instituting more transparent evaluation process as well as educating the executives about stereotypes.
A stereotype on physical appearance such as obesity, beauty among other related facts works against women and determines their position in the organization. Women who are heavy bodies in physical appearance are denied leadership positions because of the developed stereotypes. These women are perceived to be unhealthy or suffer from certain conditions hence denied the managerial positions. Men dominate most executive leadership positions who determines who gets a certain position.
This leads to more men favoring their fellows at the expense of the women. The stereotype that exists based on gender does not allow women with certain physical appearance to take a leadership position. The act of gender stereotype negatively influences women leadership in the organization as well as their ability to face and tackle challenges emerging in their profession.
The stereotype of gender, behavior, and physical appearance has some impacts on organizational performances. The barriers to women advancements in the organization make the shift from one organization to another in search of better working condition. Employee turnover has a negative impact on the company’s performance as well as the cost of operation. Organizations suffer because it takes time to developed and retain the best talents which put them at a competitive advantage (Wanberg, 2012).
It takes organization time to fill the gaps with employees who leave their management position because of stereotype based on gender. It also gives a negative perception to young people who may need to occupy certain roles in those companies. Constant stereotypes based on gender, behavior and physical appearance shutters dreams of many aspirants, which continuously works against women in the managerial positions.
Breaking the stereotypes on gender, behavior and physical appearance has been existing over time with no solution coming at hand. Different people hold different opinions, which further complicate the whole issue. The misguided perceptions on stereotype had cost women their roles in senior management positions leaving them with junior managerial positions. However, breaking the spell of stereotype based on gender and physical appearance will lead to acknowledging the potential of women in the organization. It will save the companies from losing the vital pool of talents from women.
References
Karsten, M. (2006). Gender, Race and ethnicity in the work place. Westport: Praeger Publishers.
Wanberg, C. (2012). Oxford Handbook of organizational Socialization. New York: Oxford University Press.