Embracing Differences Following-Leading in Risk 1/3: what's wrong with leadership models?
Apr 23, 2026
Jenny Krasny, sport researcher exploring relational leadership and gendered metaphors. Robert Long, safety and human factors researcher focused on language and feminist ethics. Craig Ashhurst, consultant in organisational learning and safety. They unpack male-centric leadership, the hero-leader myth, maritime and workplace examples, metaphors that shape culture, and the power of relational, experiential approaches.
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Leadership Theory Stayed Male Centric
- Leadership theory has mostly evolved in labels but remained male-centric and militaristic from the Great Man era to modern management texts.
- Craig Ashhurst traces leadership from 1800s 'great man' through trait, behaviour, situational and then 1990s collective models, yet the male/military frame persists.
Scorecards Enshrine Masculinist Norms
- Dominant leadership scorecards still encode masculinist norms that privilege assertive behaviour in men and penalize it in women.
- Robert Long and Jenny Krasny highlight how 'assertive' men are praised while assertive women get labelled negatively.
Remedial Coaching Revealed Male Bias
- A female executive was judged for being 'outspoken' despite no objective problem, revealing bias in peers not in her performance.
- Robert Long had to report that the issue was male colleagues, not her, and the board reacted poorly.
