Honorary doctorate for Professor Alice H. Eagly: Women can change the nature of power


Women really are capable of changing the nature of power. Female leaders are more compassionate, benevolent and universalistic than their male colleagues.

This was asserted by the American psychologist Alice H. Eagly during the 99th anniversary celebrations of Erasmus University Rotterdam on 8 November 2012. Eagly received an honorary doctorate for her work in the field of gender and leadership at the nomination of Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM).

Professor Eagly, Professor of Psychology, Professor of Management & Organisations at Northwestern University in Illinois, spoke of the differences in female and male leadership. Eagly says that women, more frequently than men, opt for transformational leadership, seen as an ideal leadership style in which leaders are charismatic, coaching and inspiring. There are several indications that point to the fact that female leaders are more compassionate, benevolent and universalistic than male leaders. For instance companies with women in senior management give more to good causes. "Perhaps therefore women really can change the nature of power and make our world a better, more peaceful place."

Eagly also tackled the question of why women were advancing so slowly into senior management posts. Her view is that women are being confronted with constant obstacles throughout their career rather than a glass ceiling just under the top. Penetrating to the core of labyrinth according to Eagly can be done with a great deal of effort, intelligence and persistence.

Example for researchers

Honorary doctoral advisor <link people daan-van-knippenberg _blank>Professor Daan van Knippenberg, Professor of Organisational Behaviour Erasmus University, called Eagly ‘truly a great scholar' in his laudatory address. The contributions of the work the American psychologist stands out in the discussion on gender and leadership, a field that still is demand of good science.

Eagly is an example to all behavioural scientists, said Van Knippenberg.

Ruth Cairnie, the Executive Vice-President of Strategy and Planning at Royal Dutch Shell, and member of the Advisory Board of RSM, spoke about her own personal career experiences. Her view is that women are more persuasive, learn better from adversity and cultivate genuine relationships. Cairnie advised women to build up a network and to make clear choices about the balance between their work and private lives.

The history of Honorary Doctorates at Erasmus University Rotterdam

Erasmus University Rotterdam has a long tradition of awarding top researchers for their work. Awards have been given by Erasmus University since the founding of the university in 1973, but also before that when the institution was still called the Nederlandse Economische Hogeschool (Netherlands School of Economics) and the Nederlandsche Handels-Hoogeschool (Netherlands School of Commerce).

In recognition of the enormous achievements made in the area of management science, the Rotterdam School of Management awarded several honorary doctorates. Previous to Professor Alice H.  Eagly, Professor Hau Lee (2008), Professor Richard H. Thaler (2005), Professor Peter Checkland (1998), Professor Michael E. Porter (1993), and Professor Anton C.R. Dreesmann (1988) have been conferred with an honorary doctorate.

  • Read the news article on the honorary doctorate for Professor Hau Lee in 2008
  • Read the news article on the honorary doctorate for Professor Richard H. Thaler in 2005