The glass ceiling refers to artificial barriers based on behavioral or organizational biases that prevent women from accessing high-level positions that are most often occupied only by men. However, new evidence suggests that the glass ceiling is more complex than the “glass ceiling” metaphor suggests. For example, the glass ceiling implies the existence of an impenetrable barrier to top management positions. Today, it is clear that this barrier is no longer impenetrable. Women like Condoleezza Rice, Hilary Clinton, and Nancy Pelosi are great examples of women who have broken the glass ceiling. That being said, women still face challenges in the workplace, especially those in lower and mid-level positions. Women do not progress freely through the ranks before reaching the top. Instead, they face many challenges and difficulties. For this reason, Eagly and Carli (2007) referred to this journey of challenges that occur from lower levels to the top as the leadership labyrinth (cited by Northouse, 2010). Some of the challenges encountered in the maze include stereotypes, biases and leadership style. Diversity Improves Financial Results Canas and Sondak (2011) describe diversity management as a systemic approach that goes beyond legal requirements and organizational demands. They then explain that diversity management is systemic, because it must be anchored in an organization and linked to the strategic objectives of the company. Diversity management, like any other initiative, must start at the top. There is a business case for diversity, hiring diverse groups of women; organizations will be more representative of their communities and their customers. ...... middle of paper ...... a difficult game, everyone also understands the use of transactional leadership. This means that sometimes there are deals to be made to get the job done. Vecchio (2008) describes transactional leadership as “accomplishing the task at hand” (p. 303). In the midst of bipartisan issues, transactional behaviors are sometimes necessary. These women have demonstrated their ability to reach the top despite the labyrinth of leadership. They demonstrated androgynous combination characteristics. Their intelligence, social skills, and ability to influence others are remarkable. Therefore, comparing one of these female leaders to a male leader would be unfair. These female leaders, although they had to adopt masculine characteristics to reach the top, did not have to imitate anyone. They blazed a path that other women can follow.