According to James Gabarino, an author and professor of human development
at Cornell University, women are “better able to deliver in terms of what modern
society requires of people—paying attention, abiding by rules, being verbally
competent, and dealing with interpersonal relationships in offi ces.”51 His observation
is supported by the fact that female managers are typically rated higher by
subordinates on interpersonal skills as well as on factors such as task behavior,
communication, ability to motivate others, and goal accomplishment.52 As illustrated
in Exhibit 11.3, one survey of followers rated women leaders signifi cantly
higher than men on several characteristics that are crucial for developing fast, fl exible,
adaptive organizations