Feminist Ethics and Women Leaders: From Difference to Intercorporeality

Area of Science:

• Leadership Studies
• Feminist Theory
• Political Science

Background:

• Women's leadership is often defined in contrast to male leadership.
• Ethical leadership frameworks may inadvertently reinforce gender stereotypes.
• The symbolic status of women in leadership warrants critical examination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To problematize the relational understanding of women's leadership.
• To challenge the feminization of ethical leadership ideals (e.g., care, empathy) as 'other' to masculinity.
• To develop feminist leadership ethics independent of masculine norms.

Main Methods:

• Critical analysis of leadership paradigms.
• Application of mimesis strategies for feminist ethics.
• Case study consideration of Jacinda Ardern's ethical leadership.

Main Results:

• Ethical leadership based on feminized ideals can reinforce women's "otherness."
• A new model of feminist leadership ethics can be developed using mimesis.
• This approach offers a radical vision for liberating feminine subjectivity from masculine order.

Conclusions:

• Feminist leadership ethics should be conceptualized on its own terms, not in relation to male leadership.
• Transforming women's working lives requires fundamental political and ethical shifts.
• Relationality, intercorporeality, and collective agency are key to ethical openness and political transformation.