A STUDY ON LEADERSHIP STYLE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN COIMBATORE DISTRICT Dr. A. Kumudha J.K.

Kamalaveni Type : Research Paper Keywords : Women Entrepreneurs, Leadership, First Generation Entrepreneurs, Family Business, Change Leadership Compass ABSTRACT In order to awake the people, it is the women who have to be awakened. Once she is on the move, the family moves, the village moves, and the nation moves PANDIT JAWAHARLAL NEHRU As of the mid 1990s, women comprised 50% of the workforce, held 13% of management positions and held only 7% of executive positions. Women are pulling up chairs at Boardroom tables and launching their own companies. The number of women-owned firms has increased by 103% in the past 10 years those differences are increasingly playing out in executive suites too. More and more women are heading teams and delivering results. So what does it take for a woman to get to the top, and more important, stay there? The qualities of an enterprising women being challenging, modeling, inspiring, enabling, encouraging, enterprising and empathizing. The objectives of this study are: To find out the leadership styles followed by women entrepreneurs in the study area To identify the leadership qualities among the women entrepreneurs To suggest the change leadership of a leader in successfully managing change methodology followed Reader, Department of Business Management, PSGR Krishnammal College For Women, Coimbatore - 641004, Tamilnadu, India Lecturer, Department of Business Management, PSGR Krishnammal College For Women, Coimbatore - 641004, Tamilnadu, India Methodology followed An opinion survey was conducted form few women entrepreneurs The size of the sample taken is fifty Data is collected through structured questionnaire The results are analysed and findings are given in

percentage analysis, weighted mean score, ranking analysis and chi square test Significance & Limitations Though the study is limited in its sample size and the area covered, it has covered heterogeneous groups and gives a clear picture about the exceptional leadership qualities of women which helped them to perform as successful leaders. It also forms a basis for further research. This study also helps the researcher to suggest the model of The Change Leadership Compass which explores the role of the leader in successfully managing change. Further women entrepreneurship is a factor constructing to women empowerment. Women empowerment is a measure for developing: Self confidence Desire for a better quality of life Desire for a better status in the family Problem solving ability Health consciousness Involvement in intra-familial decision-making Scientific temper Thus for developing and maintaining the economic standard of the country, women entrepreneurship must be encouraged to a large extent.