An exploration of gender stereotypes in perception and practice of leadership

Gender-role stereotypes i.e. characteristics of jobs being defined in terms of gender are common in society. In this study we examine the role of socially constructed gender stereotypes in leadership and their influence on leadership behaviour of people. Based on literature the study has hypothesised that society perceives leadership to have predominantly masculine characteristics, such that those who see themselves as having more masculine characteristics would be more willing to assume leadership roles. Further, gender identification of individual would explain their leadership behaviour rather than their biological sex. The hypotheses were tested by creating measures of congruence- self-male, self-female, male-leader and female-leader, based on respondent’s ratings of self, males or females and leaders and correlating these four types of congruencies with leadership intention and behaviour.