Leadership and Ethics for Managers Unit 4 DB SA First Week - Essay Example

Assessment One You recently attended a management workshop en d, "Gender and Leadership," during which the workshop leader related the following statement originally expressed by Bill Clinton: "We need not just a new generation of leadership but a new gender of leadership" ("Clinton pledges fidelity," 1992, p. A2). Bill Clinton may have meant to figuratively veer away from the traditional masculine oriented to a more feminine type of leadership to empower more the feminine in leadership roles.

Albeit this statement is well intended, I do not necessarily agree on it because it is premised on the assumption that one type of leadership (masculine) and that another type of leadership (feminine). Leadership should be based on competence and not on gender. Also, the ideal type of leadership is not gender based but should be based on characteristics. True, masculine trait has it good qualities and so is the feminine trait. These traits should be combined to form a set of leadership qualities that should be idealized by both genders.

Name two women in leadership roles that are globally respected and have proven to be successful. Please describe why you have selected each individual. What are their accomplishments?  I chose Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Oprah Winfrey. Hillary Clinton probably is one of the most powerful women in the United States and even in the world. She is smart, assertive and gracious and could be United States next President. She makes decision that affects the lives of many people both here and abroad.

I also chose Oprah Winfrey not just for the success of her television show but also on the issues that she is advocating in her show. She also upholds positivity and learning and makes people believe in themselves. Oprah basically used her celebrity status to make a difference in other people’s lives. She may be very rich but she is not ostentatious and gives huge amount of money to charity.