Queen bee syndrome

What is Queen Bee Syndrome?

Queen Bee Syndrome, also known as Queen Bee phenomenon or Queen Bee behavior, refers to a phenomenon where a woman in a leadership position, typically in a male-dominated environment but not always, displays negative or discriminatory behavior towards other women. This phenomenon is characterized by a female leader who, instead of supporting and promoting other women in the workplace, actively undermines, criticizes, or competes with them.

How to spot queen bee leadership?

Some signs that may reveal queen bee syndrome in the workplace:

• Lack of mentoring: Queen bees may be less likely to mentor or support other women in the workplace.

• Unwillingness to collaborate: A woman withqueen bee syndrome may be less inclined to work collaboratively with other women, instead preferring to work with men or on her own.

• Exclusion: Women with queen bee syndrome may exclude other women in social or professional situations, even if they belong to a similar professional or social circle.

• Criticism: Queen bees may criticize other women in the workplace more harshly than their male counterparts or be more likely to take credit for their work.

• Undermining: They may create conflicts or spread rumors to undermine others.

• Microaggressions: Queen bees may engage in subtle and unintentional expressions of prejudice or bias against other women.

The term Queen Bee Syndrome was initially coined in the 1970s, the behavior is often seen as a manifestation of internalized sexism, where women may adopt negative behaviors towards other women as a way to protect their own positions or conform to the norms of a male-centric workplace. It can manifest in various forms, such as withholding opportunities, spreading rumors, taking credit for others' work, or actively undermining the success of other women.

Queen Bee Syndrome can have negative impacts on workplace morale, team dynamics, and the advancement of women in leadership positions