Effective Networking Strategies for Female Leaders

Networking is one of the most important tools for leaders to gain and retain power, influence, and opportunities. However, both women who are aspiring for leadership positions, as well as women who have obtained leadership positions, report that networking is one of the biggest obstacles they experience. Research shows that when women network, the effects are less positive than when men do so. Earlier studies indicate that it might be that female leaders simply adopt less effective networking strategies than men. However, research indicates an alternative hypothesis: even when women adopt similar strategies, they might be held to different standards than are their male counterparts. Therefore, we examined whether gendered beliefs and stereotypes cause male and female leaders to be evaluated differently while networking, even when they display the same behaviours. Our results suggest that there may be reason for optimism that gender differences in networking are slowly dissipating, as we found no significant differences in leadership evaluations between men and women that network authentically and strategically. We did, however, find that when men defy gender stereotypes and engage in more socially-oriented networking, they get an additional bonus that women do not. In this article, we elaborate on our findings and highlight five take-aways from our research and earlier studies on this topic that might help women (and men) choose effective network strategies.