The gendered nature of leader behaviors: Navigating stereotype threat from conservation of resources and gender role perspectives.

Abstract

Previous research has highlighted the benefits followers gain from their leaders' initiating structure and consideration. Adopting a leader-centric perspective, we propose that leaders' gender influences the impact of these behaviors for leaders themselves. Drawing from conservation of resources and gender role theories, we explain why gender-role-inconsistent leader behaviors (behaviors that go against gender stereotypes, such as initiating structure for women and consideration for men) is detrimental, while engaging in gender-role-consistent leader behaviors (such as initiating structure for men and consideration for women) is beneficial. We further theorize that follower support mitigates the negative effects of gender-role-inconsistent behaviors. We tested our hypotheses across four studies-an experience sampling field study (Study 1) and three experiments (Studies 2 through 4). Study 1 revealed initiating structure for women leaders elicited gender stereotype threat, which depleted women leaders. This resulted in increased work withdrawal and reduced initiating structure and consideration the next day. Study 1 also showed that initiating structure and consideration increased both men and women leaders' perceived leader effectiveness, which, in turn, increased their work engagement, further increasing their initiating structure and consideration the next day. Study 2 replicated these results, and Studies 3 and 4 showed that follower support mitigated the depletion effects of gender stereotype threat by initiating structure for women leaders. Our research highlights the benefits and detriments of leader behaviors and identifies how followers can alleviate the costs associated with initiating structure for women leaders. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).