Sonia Morgan Staff Reporter
CAREERS ARE no longer testosterone driven in today's world where many managerial positions are now open to women. However, it remains true that women still struggle to break the 'glass ceiling'. In many arenas women get shafted just because they are women: they need maternity leave; they come with PMS and they are thought of as inferior to men and the more emotional of the sexes. If John and Jane come in with the same qualifications, John will more than likely get the job.
In the Journal of Social Sciences Spring 2000 issue "Mindful and Masculine: Freeing Women Leaders From the Constraints of Gender Roles authors Christine Kawakami and Judith B. White wrote: "Despite gains in women's status, successful leaders are more likely to be men than women. The styles that successful leaders set tend to be masculine. Female leaders face a paradox: If they emulate a masculine leadership style, their male subordinates will dislike them. If they adopt a stereotypically warm and nurturing feminine style, they will be liked but not respected."
It is interesting that this is what women in leadership positions often times have to deal with. Research has shown that "Women in management have proven to be equally skilled, educated, and trained as their male peers, and organisations are hiring managerial men and women in roughly equal numbers." However female managers are not entering the highest leadership positions at the same rate as their male counterparts.
But that has not phased some women. They are not scared by the phrase 'male-dominated' nor are they shaken by the challenges of jobs once exclusive to men. They face their challenges head-on and achieve their goals with commitment and dedication.
In the 'male-dominated' diplomatic sphere, women have risen to the highest positions. Three such women head their country's diplomatic mission in Jamaica. They are Nigerian High Commissioner, Florentina Ukonga; Venezuelan Ambassador Rocio Maneiro and the newest female Ambassador to the country and the first female to represent the USA in Jamaica, Ambassador Sue Cobb. Their experiences are different, their leadership styles may be different, but they all want the same thing for women to reach their full potential in whatever they choose to do. Women who head any organisation may experience discrimination because of their sex and may not be taken seriously. However, there is no doubt that High Commissioner (HC) Ukonga is the captain of her ship. "My emphasis is on making my offices better. We more or less use an exchange of ideas rub minds this encourages people. There's nothing that comes out of here that I don't know about." When Outlook visited her at the Nigerian High Commission on Waterloo Road, she was glued to the CNN report on the Zimbabwe election. Her office had a globe, a McMillan map of the world and art pieces from Nigeria and Jamaica. She looked regal in her traditional garb. The HC said she co-ordinates everything that goes on at the High Commission and is present at social and diplomatic events. (These events may seem trivial but many serious issues are discussed and decisions made amidst the clinking of glasses).
In her portfolio, is the responsibility of Consular issues, cultural activities, managing the diplomatic relations between Jamaica and Nigeria, among others. "You're expected to know everything about your country and when people ask you for detailed information you have to deliver." She said in Jamaica, people expect her to know details of other African countries. "You really have to be Jack of all trades and master of all."
Behind the broad smile and gentle voice of Ambassador of Venezuela, Rocio Maneiro, there is a dedicated leader whose achievements since the beginning of her mission in Jamaica has been headlined in the news. Her first year in Jamaica has been an achievement for her, Ambassador Maneiro told Outlook. She said she was satisfied with this first year as Ambassador here because the bilateral agenda, comprised of many issues has moved forward. "We are achieving great progress in an excellent climate of understanding, friendship and working together."
Leadership by example is one of the most effective ways of establishing oneself as the helm of any organisation. It encourages the people who work with you and from whom you expect the best. "I like to give example, that is something I learned. If you want to be respected by the people who work for you, you must convince them that you are good, professionally. If you want them to be early at the Embassy, you have to be early."
US Ambassador, Sue Cobb attributes her leadership skills to learning from many business experiences. She is not a career diplomat, but has spent many years in law and has been in and out of government. Most recently she served for a year as chief executive officer of the Department of Lottery in Florida. She was appointed Ambassador by President George W. Bush.
"Leadership in any sector is all about building your team work and empowering your workers." As a leader, male or female standards have to be very high. "My standards are very high and I expect high standards for all work, ethical conduct in an effort to maximise their own potential."
Her classy executive look and her height give, her an air of authority but her warm smile and fun-loving demeanour make her approachable and reachable. "From all my experiences, I am acutely aware that no leader is successful unless he/she builds a team around that. You have to set the standards and then empower others to use their own creativity and energy to meet those standards."
