Defining it: The term queen bee syndrome applies to some woman who feels threatened by the progress of the woman's female subordinates. To stop their progress she indulges in pulling all of them down by criticizing their work and by monitoring their sort out a microscopic view.
Understanding the Queen Bee Syndrome
Queen bee may be the ‘queen’ of the bee hive. The bee hive with this context is the workplace and the ‘queen bee’ may be the female boss or someone who holds a controlling as well as higher rank.
Healthy competition at the workplace is an excellent sign but indulging in pulling someone down to achieve what you need is worst! It is the duty of the one that is at a managerial position to motivate those under him to complete better and set higher goals to reach pinnacle associated with success. As mentioned earlier, the woman who has this syndrome usually holds a situation of power at the workplace. But even if she's the power, she feels threatened by the progress associated with other female subordinates and tries to pull them lower. There are actually many female bosses who exhibit this particular attitude. This is the reason many women dread using a female as boss or manager. This also hampers the professional environment from the workplace to a great extent.
It was in 1973 the word was defined by G. L. Staines, T. E. Jayaratne, as well as C. Tavris. Many surveys and studies were conducted in those days and it was found that some women do possess a ‘hard corner’ for their junior female workers. They could be more critical of their female subordinates and would monitor their own work more stringently. After doing many studies, it was thought that this might be the key reason why women find it stressful to work under their woman bosses. The survey says it all - In a survey that asked about that gender you would want your boss to be - three quarters of men taken care of immediately prefer a male boss. Many working women had reported they feel threatened to possess a female boss and have felt undermined at work.
On the serious note, having a female boss who shows the queen bee syndrome might be really detrimental to the progress of the female subordinates. The girl with the syndrome takes all the effort to draw down her female junior workers and makes their existence hell. Such unwanted behavior can step from insecurity as well as jealousy. Some research studies also believe that women often become harsh at their juniors to avoid the accusation associated with favoring women under them. Whatever be the reason, the girl at the superior position will never allow people under her to maneuver ahead of her.
Queen bee syndrome can never end up being justified. In cases where the female boss was too harsh on their behalf, women have felt sick and quit work. They dread likely to the work. It questions the term sisterhood and the fact that women would make better bosses than men. Women are considered to be emphatic and understanding and they should stick to it instead of indulging in a bad and cruel attitude. This ruthless and cunning attitude of women at the workplace is something that should be addressed through training.