Queen Bee Syndrome

Queen Bee Syndrome, known as the Queen Bee phenomenon or Queen Bee syndrome, is a phenomena observable in workplace environments when a female leader or manager shows antagonistic, disapproving or devaluing behaviour toward other female workers, especially those in subordinate positions. The name "Queen Bee" came from the head bee in a swarm who gets its supremacy by subduing or exterminating rivals. Within the work context, Queen Bee behavior may be expressed as gatekeeping, micromanagement, exclusion, criticism, or sabotage of your fellow women. Motivation for such things could be competition, insecurity, or desire for power and control.

Example of Queen Bee Syndrome

A female senior executive in a corporate office environment tends to act like a “Queen Bee” towards junior female colleagues, mainly those who are regarded as a threat to her power or competence. The senior female executive sees other female employees as rivals and tries to stay in a superior position by criticizing, demeaning or underestimating their ideas and successes.

For instance, a senior executive might listen to a female colleague and not approve of the idea in meetings, take credit for their work, or sabotage their projects so that she won’t succeed. She may also point out the subtle ways of exclusion or favoritism through things such as excluding female colleagues from important meetings or networking events or giving priority to male employees.