Women Rising in Corporate Ranks

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With about nine out of 10 top business jobs still held by men, it appears the character of David Brent from the hit sitcom The Office - who believes he is enlightened but behaves in a sexist fashion - still thrives in the real world.

Chief executives are being urged by researchers to change their attitude towards leadership and to find the untapped female talent which could breathe new life into their department or firm.

Beverley Alimo-Metcalfe, of Leeds University, who presented her findings to the annual occupational conference of the British Psychological Society in Bournemouth, admitted she was astonished by the strong regard for women bosses.

"I think men need to think seriously about whether the style they have of managing is the appropriate style," she said.

Since 1998, Professor Alimo-Metcalfe and colleagues have been developing a vision of what constitutes a good leader.

After consulting thousands of people of both sex and different races in Britain, her team drew up a list of 14 attributes.

Some 2000 managers working for the NHS and councils were then asked to rate their own bosses in these areas. When it came to valuing individuals, encouraging change, acting with integrity, being decisive, inspiring others, resolving complex problems, networking and achieving, focusing effort, building shared vision, supporting development and facilitating change, women received a significantly better seal of approval from their subordinates.