Burlingame, CA, May 10, 2005 - Susan Magrino, President and CEO of WorkForce OS, was one of 59 women executives who participated in a recently-released study to determine the qualities that distinguish women leaders. The study was conducted by Caliper, a Princeton-based global consulting firm, and sponsored by Aurora, a London-based organization that advances women. Participants came from some of the top companies in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, including Johnson & Johnson, Bank of America, and Lloyds TBS, and crossed 19 different business sectors, including Finance, Computers, and Education & Consulting.

The goal of the study, entitled The DNA of Women Leaders, was to understand the personality qualities and motivational factors that differentiate the leadership styles of men and women. The process included demographic analysis, in-depth interviews with the participants, and the Caliper Profile, a validated and reliable personality assessment.

The results of the study are enlightening. Women leaders are more assertive, persuasive, have a stronger need to get things done, and are more willing to take risks than male leaders. “When we talked as a group after being independently assessed and interviewed, it was fascinating to learn that we share leadership characteristics and philosophies that are different from our male counterparts,” explains Ms. Magrino. “For example, as a group we’re more inclusive: we are more inclined to ask the opinion of others and take those opinions into account in our decision-making.”

Women leaders were also found to be more empathetic, flexible, and possessed stronger interpersonal skills than their male counterparts. Their combined traits enable the women in the study to deal with disappointment and setbacks differently. Dr. Herb Greenberg, President and CEO of Caliper, explains: “They will feel the sting of being set back. They may even dwell on it, and tend to be a little self-critical. But then they will muster their assertiveness, shake off any negative feelings, learn what they need to carry on and a voice in the back of their heads will say, ‘I’ll show you.’”

“Women leaders for years have molded themselves according to business practices determined by the men who dominated the leadership ranks. As a result, the women frequently compromised their own unique style and therefore the value it offered. The Caliper study helps us see that understanding and developing the inherent strengths of women leaders can complement their male counterparts to enhance the overall leadership quality of an organization,” concludes Ms. Magrino.

About WorkForce OS
WorkForce OS focuses on workforce issues such as mid-career change, the skilled-labor shortage, providing support to corporate and university alumni networks, appropriate force reduction, and re-employing dislocated workers. The WorkForce OS product line is patent pending design/technology. Founded in 1999, WorkForce OS is headquartered in Burlingame, CA.

About Caliper
Caliper is a global consulting firm that has advised more than 25,000 companies on hiring, developing, team building, and organizational concerns. Throughout the past four decades, from offices in twelve countries, Caliper has assessed the potential and performance of over two million employees and applicants. Caliper’s consultants provide the insights, expertise and personal approach needed to help organizations achieve their goals.