Perceptions of Power

Abstract

This research examined the perceived use of power by women executive's best and worst bosses. Using a new methodology to measure French and Raven's (1959) and Raven's (1965) power bases, members of the National Association of Female Executives responded to a survey in which they evaluated the power bases of their best and worst bosses. Male bosses were more likely than female bosses to be identified as the worst boss, whereas females and males were equally likely to be identified as the best boss, although these women probably had far more male than female bosses.