A Pew Research Center survey has raised more questions than answers about the gender equality leadership gap.
According to a survey on Women and Leadership, most Americans ranked men and women as equals on key leadership traits of intelligence and capacity for innovation.
In terms of compassion and organization, women were even viewed as stronger than men, the survey found.
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When it came to the willingness to take risks, men did edge out women with 34% of the public surveyed saying men in top executive positions were better at it than women. Men were also perceived as having an edge in negotiating profitable deals.
The major obstacle cited why more women were not in top leadership roles in business boiled down to women being held to higher standards than men and that many businesses weren't ready to hire women for top executive positions.
However, men and women's perceptions of the obstacles varied as well.
While some 52% of women believed that they have to do more to prove themselves, only one-third of the men shared that view.
In addition, 50% of women said many businesses simply weren't ready to hire women for executive positions compared to 35% of men.
The survey also explored what role, if any, family responsibilities played in women reaching the corner office. Only 23% of Americans agreed it could be holding women back, with women more likely than men to view it as a significant barrier.
Among millennials 46% said it was better to wait until careers have been established and 29% said it was better for women to have children early on in their careers.
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