The Relationship Of Women’s Leadership, Leadership Prototypes And Leadership Aspirations

With continuous improvement of women’s status,more and more scholars have been attracted to the study of women’s leadership.In spite of this,women are still underrepresented at the top of the organization,and the development and promotion of women’s leadership still face many obstacles.The present relevant researches most are qualitative research on the characteristics of women’s leadership structure,less are empirical research.Based on the leadership perceptions(including interpersonal leadership perceptions and intrapersonal leadership perceptions),this study explores the impact of gender on leadership perceptions and its mechanism by using analysis of literature,questionnaires and experimental methods.The study revolves around two key questions to carry out the research on leadership and gender.Firstly,how does gender affect perceived leadership?Secondly,what are the consequences of gender-based leadership perceptions on the target? Specifically,the following questions are explored primarily through three studies: Study 1,validate existing findings and explore the direct effect of gender on interpersonal leadership perceptions.Study 2,based on the connectionist model of leadership,to explore the mediating role of the leadership prototype between gender and interpersonal perception.Study 3,reveal the gender differences in intrapersonal leadership perceptions and leadership aspirations,to explore the mediating role of intrapersonal leadership perceptions between gender and leadership.The results are as follows:(1)As for demographic variables,interpersonal leadership perceptions have significant differences in academic qualifications.There are significant differences in the gender,leadership experience,age and academic qualifications in the dimensions of the leadership prototype.(2)The gender of the target object has a significant direct effect on interpersonal leadership perceptions,and women are less likely to be perceived as leaders than men.(3)Leadership prototypes play a mediating role between the target’s gender and interpersonal leadership perceptions.People are more likely to activate positive leadership prototypes when facing women.Accordingly,men are more likely to activate people’s negative leadership prototypes.(4)Women’s intrapersonal leadership perceptions and willingness of leadership are significantly lower than men.(5)intrapersonal leadership perceptions play a mediating role between gender and leadership.Women have lower intrapersonal leadership perceptions than men,which leading to less willingness than men.Finally,the study discusses practice inspirations basing on this,hoping to enhance the female group career development and promotion opportunities.