An Investigation of Gender Effects on Followers' Ratings of Leaders, Leaders' Self-Ratings and Reactions to Feedback

Abstract

Consistent with stereotype-fit and rater/ratee congruence models, male followers rated female leaders lower than they rated male leaders. Male followers also rated female leaders lower than females rated females. Female followers did not rate females higher than they rated males. While the stereotype-fit and rater/ratee congruence models appeared to hold for males, they did not hold for females in this sample. As hypothesized, male and female leaders did not differ in their self-ratings of leadership made confidentially. Contrary to hypotheses, females were not more likely than males to lower their self-ratings in response to negative feedback. Males and females also did not react differently to positive feedback.