LEADERSHIP LOSERS

Male respondents to the survey considered men to be superior to women at problem-solving, one of the qualities most commonly associated with effective leadership, said the research from Catalyst, an influential US organisation that promotes women’s progress at work.

"The fact that men far outnumber women in corporate leadership positions indicates that it is their perception that likely predominates in the workplace," said Catalyst.

The survey questioned 296 US business leaders from Fortune 500 and smaller companies, including about 100 chief executives. Female respondents agreed with their male counterparts that men were better at delegating and at influencing superiors, two other leadership traits described by the researchers as stereotypically masculine.

But the women thought female leaders were better at problem-solving.

Catalyst said there was no research evidence that either men or women were better at problem-solving. Analysis of more than 40 studies of leadership had found few differences between male and female leaders.

Ilene Lang, president of Catalyst, said these stereotypes contributed to the gender gap in US business leadership. Women comprised fewer than two per cent of Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 chief executives, although they held half of all management and professional positions.

"By shining a spotlight on this often unspoken and insidious barrier to women’s advancement, the study demonstrates empirically how gender-based stereotyping often operates as shorthand for fact and short-changes women in the workplace," she said.

The survey found that men judged women leaders superior at only two out of ten "leadership behaviours"– supporting and rewarding subordinates.

Women judged female leaders better at seven of the ten traits, which also included team-building, mentoring and consulting. Catalyst said the findings showed that executives unconsciously relied on stereotypes of women as "taking care" and of men as "taking charge."

Stereotyping became more extreme in certain work conditions, the study found. Both male and female respondents in traditionally female functions such as human resources rated women leaders better at problem-solving. Those in traditionally male functions such as general management rated women worse at problem-solving.

Lang said business leaders should strive to counter these stereotypes by focusing on performance and results rather than leadership style and behaviour. They should highlight the achievements of women leaders, particularly in male-dominated fields.