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Close and Distant Female Role Models in the Workplace

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Leadership and Role Modelling

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Abstract

This chapter reports on an exploratory study of young adults’ perceptions of female role models in the workplace. The disproportionate number of male-to-female leaders, a reality of modern organisations, translates into fewer females being available as role models. Instead, female portrayals in the media may be important as distant role models. The chapter begins with a background discussion of the role model construct. The authors report on an exploratory study of young adults’ perceptions regarding role models in the workplace and how these role models inform their leadership practice. The study includes both male and female participants and enables comparison of their perspectives. The authors conclude with a discussion of the findings and recommendations for future practice and research.

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Correspondence to Alexandra L. Lyman .

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Lyman, A.L., Chappell, S.F. (2018). Close and Distant Female Role Models in the Workplace. In: Vidyasagar, S., Hatti, P. (eds) Leadership and Role Modelling. Palgrave Studies in Leadership and Followership. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69056-8_4

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