Women executives: Health, stress, and success

Executive Overview As more women participate in and lead work organizations, the health and well-being of women have important implications for organizational effectiveness. Although there is little direct evidence on executive women's health, we can extrapolate useful information from studies of managerial women and working women in general. While women share many of the health concerns of their male counterparts, they also face unique health issues. This article explores the context of executive women's health in terms of their progress in organizations and the obstacles they face in rising to top leadership positions. We present the stressors women executives face, the ways they cope, and the related health problems associated with work that they experience. We provide specific guidelines for executive women and for organizations that will help manage women's risks and enhance their health. We conclude by exploring what the increase in women's leadership will mean for the health of employees and organizations.