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Female leaders frequently face obstacles due to gender stereotypes, which can directly affect their capability to perform their roles, as per a recent study from the University of Georgia.

The investigators discovered that women in authoritative positions may experience constraints in their power due to societal gender expectations that compel them to be more submissive compared to their male counterparts.

Support and acknowledgment from their immediate team can, however, positively influence those sentiments.

“Women are anticipated to act in a submissive manner, making it more challenging for female leaders to provide guidance, define expectations, and instruct others regarding their tasks due to these stereotypes,” stated Joanna Lin, the primary author of the study and a W. Richard and Emily Acree Professor of Management at the UGA Terry College of Business. “If we do not address this, we will see a decrease in female leadership and diminished workplace effectiveness.”

Gender expectations create tension in management styles

Through four distinct studies, the researchers identified that female supervisors feel constrained by their own beliefs about appropriate female behavior.

Some of these societal norms included adopting a nurturing demeanor, prioritizing employee welfare over efficiency, and refraining from issuing authoritative directives.

In their efforts to provide guidance or clarify roles, these leaders often felt reluctant to be straightforward in their feedback, fearing they might be seen as rude or demanding.

“There’s a contradiction regarding what is expected of women in leadership. You’re anticipated to be warm and approachable, yet you must also be assertive and adopt a style that diverges from what is typically expected of women,” Lin expressed.

Stepping outside these gender norms often left the women feeling inadequate or anxious, according to their reports.

Consequently, those women who exhibited more assertive behaviors frequently felt drained, overwhelmed by their responsibilities, and generally more withdrawn.

“When you are drained, you are prone to disengage from your tasks or neglect your employees since you no longer possess the energy to do so,” Lin remarked.

Interestingly, male participants in the study did not report any stress concerning these gender expectations.

Whether they were compassionate and attentive to their employees or delivered firm directives, male leaders perceived their conduct as a “father knows best” approach, which was both authoritative and kind.

Moreover, it’s feasible that they regarded this paternalistic leadership style as somehow noble or gallant, reinforcing the male hero gender stereotype.

Active support from supervisors and staff enhances workplace dynamics

However, there are approaches to improve how women leaders feel about their roles.

When team members appreciate their leader’s input and demonstrate concern for their welfare, female leaders experience less exhaustion.

Conversely, in the absence of such support, women leaders feel the burden of stereotypes more acutely, which can detrimentally affect both their energy levels and the workplace environment as a whole.

“Followers sometimes presume women leaders are less competent or less likable, making it particularly exhausting to provide direction. In this research, we reveal that support from followers alters this scenario. When employees acknowledge and endorse their leaders, women are able to conserve their energy and lead more effectively,” Lin noted.

The co-authors of this study consist of Justin Woodall, a doctoral candidate in the Terry College of Business, Marie Mitchell from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Nai-Wen Chi from National Sun Yat-sen University, and Russell Johnson from Michigan State University.

The post Women are constrained by gender stereotypes in leadership roles appeared first on UGA Today.

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