Author Question: Discuss the meaning of this statement: Gender biases can be particularly detrimental in the ... (Read 54 times)

corkyiscool3328 · **on:** Jul 8, 2018

Discuss the meaning of this statement: Gender biases can be particularly detrimental in the decision-making processes for selecting elite leaders, given that the generally unstructured nature of those decisions allows biased decisions without

accountability.
What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

The orthopedics department at your hospital is thinking about merging with the sports medicine department, which has in the past shared physicians, physician assistants, and nursing and support staff, but they have always had their own departmental

structures and leadership. The merger is being considered because the staffs currently share exam rooms, operating theatres, and many administrative and diagnostic equipment and procedures. The hospital administration thinks the merger will help save administrative costs without detriment to patient care. Staff members are nervous about this merger and wonder if it will cause changes in shifts, long-standing surgical work groups, and even loss of jobs. You are the leader of the sports medicine department. You have used adaptive leadership in past challenges and are going to try it now. Apply the adaptive leadership model to this situation and describe some of the major steps you will take to deal with this potential merger.
What will be an ideal response?

johnpizzaz · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 8, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Because gender biases are so pervasive and largely affect attitudes and behavior on an unconscious level, they can easily influence those who are in a position to select new leaders without those individuals even realizing their biases. Elite leadership positions, due to their extreme authority and visibility, are often perceived as more stereotypically masculine than other leadership positions. Gender biases against women as being too communal and feminine for the position, or not feminine enough to be attractive and likeable, can easily occur when a woman is considered for such a position. Furthermore, elite leaders are often chosen behind closed doors by a select group or by their predecessors, with little accountability to ensure that a fair decision has been made. Without external accountability, it is easy for male selectors to engage in homosocial reproduction and favor candidates similar to themselves. When hiring selections are made on the basis of personally knowing a candidate's ability through social networks, women are at a significant disadvantage to men due to a widespread lack of female mentors in leadership positions and because women often are not presented the same socializing opportunities as their male colleagues.

Answer to Question 2

Answers will vary considerably but should include a diagnosis of technical, technical and adaptive, or adaptive challenge (really this is adaptive in nature). Then they should describe some of the six leader behaviors, the holding environment, and how the interaction with the team will work.