Who is recognised as having leadership skills? And to what extent do gender stereotypes influence the way we assess skills and potential?
These are some of the questions at the heart of Beatrice Corbelli’s research, which was recognised by TIM at the 10th edition of the ‘Valeria Solesin’ Award for her thesis ‘Gender Competence Questioning and Perceived Leadership Abilities: Is It a Question of Gender?’, which came third in the overall rankings.
The Scientific Committee recognised the value of the work for the topicality of the subject, its methodological rigour and its innovative approach.
Now in its tenth edition, the “Valeria Solesin” Prize pays tribute to the young researcher, a victim of the Bataclan attack, and continues to recognise theses that explore the role and opportunities of women in society, the workplace and research.
At the heart of the award-winning thesis lies ‘Gender Competence Questioning’: the set of behaviours, more or less explicit, that cast doubt on a person’s competence on the basis of their gender. Among the best-known examples are ‘mansplaining’ – when a man explains something to a woman in a condescending manner, assuming she knows less – and ‘manterrupting’, which is the systematic interruption of a woman whilst she is speaking. The research highlights a particularly interesting aspect: the effects of these behaviours do not stop at those who experience them, but can also affect those who witness them. Repeatedly observing these dynamics can, in fact, reinforce the association between leadership and masculinity, influencing perceptions of individual abilities and, consequently, performance appraisals and promotion decisions.
This finding encourages us to look beyond individual incidents and to consider the extent to which stereotypes and entrenched behaviours can influence the processes of recognising talent and professional development.
It is also from this perspective that the value of initiatives such as the ‘Valeria Solesin’ Award emerges, as they support research and offer new insights into issues of importance to the world of work. For TIM, contributing to this journey means promoting a culture in which skills, talent and potential can flourish and be valued, free from gender bias and stereotypes, because #LaParitàNonPuòAspettare (EqualityCantWait).
The award was presented on behalf of TIM by our colleague Chiara Elena Maria Pizzamiglio, Head of Treasury Operations.