“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s enduring quip captures a widespread expectation that women who reach the top should pull others up behind them. Yet, it’s not uncommon for junior female employees to encounter women in senior roles who seem distant, unsupportive or even actively competitive.
This phenomenon is commonly referred to as queen bee syndrome (QBS). Although the term is controversial, the underlying behaviour is well-documented and has real consequences for the women affected, their organisations and broader gender diversity efforts. The more useful question is therefore not whether QBS exists, but why it occurs and what leaders and organisations can do to mitigate it.
Asian Woman Leadership 