Abstract
Objectives. Over several international studies, we developed a leadership identity measure to select for preferable leadership approaches and account for some of the disadvantages women may encounter in the selection process.
This measure accounts for expectations people generally hold for effective leaders, effective male leaders, and effective female leaders (i.e., valued attributes that guide an individual's leadership approach). This research compares gender differences in perceptions of leadership attributes and the prevalence of effective leadership strategies among each gender.
Method. This study includes the scale development of an Inclusive Leadership measure.
Because women are underrepresented in leadership positions across cultures and disadvantaged during hiring or promotion of leaders, we develop selection criteria that assure excellent leaders and greater gender equality through the selection processes. Data from the present study were collected from student populations at the University of Iowa and U.S.
Air Force Academy. In addition, data collection from a broad international sample is ongoing using the MTurk online platform (this will be included in the conference presentation).
Results. Preliminary analyses indicate women and men differed in their perceptions of desirable leadership qualities.
Results also suggest, compared to men, women tend to value more characteristics and approaches that are aligned with leadership qualities shown to be highly effective in multiple contexts.