Leadership Diversity: Effects of Counterstereotypical Thinking on the Support for Women Leaders under Uncertainty

Randsley de Moura, G.; Leicht, C.; Leite, A.C.; Crisp, R.J.; Gocłowska, M.A.

Abstract

Despite societal shifts, women are still underrepresented in leadership positions. Previous research has found that women are often placed in risky and precarious leadership positions. This is likely to be the case when the context (economic, social, political) is uncertain. This article investigates (1) the support given to women leaders with leadership styles that are congruent or not with gender stereotypes, under uncertainty (Study 1) and (2) the role of counterstereotypical thinking in strengthening the support for women leaders who are role congruent (vs. incongruent) under uncertainty (Study 2). Study 1 found a preference for strong, role incongruent women leaders in times of uncertainty (vs. certainty). Study 2 found that this preference can be attenuated and role congruent women leaders perceived as more effective following a counterstereotypical thinking intervention that challenge participants’ social cognitive processing styles. We discuss applied implications regarding how to effectively promote diversity in leadership.

Citation

Randsley de Moura, G., Leicht, C., Leite, A., Crisp, R., & Gocłowska, M. (2018). Leadership Diversity: Effects of Counterstereotypical Thinking on the Support for Women Leaders under Uncertainty. Journal of Social Issues, 74(1), 165-183. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12262

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 5, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Mar 25, 2018
• Publication Date: Mar 25, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 4, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 25, 2019
• Journal: Journal of Social Issues
• Print ISSN: 0022-4537
• Electronic ISSN: 1540-4560
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 74
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 165-183
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12262
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1336343