This review article reveals that men are generally more influential than women, although the gender difference depends on several moderators. Relative to men, women are particularly less influential when using dominant forms of communication, whereas the male advantage in influence is reduced in domains that are traditionally associated with the female role and in group settings in which more than one woman or girl is present. Males in particular resist influence by women and girls more than females do, especially when influence agents employ highly competent styles of communication. Resistance to competent women can be reduced, however, when women temper their competence with displays of communality and warmth.Historically, most research on gender and social influence has focused on gender differences in influenceability, the extent to which men and women are influenced by others. In fact, the numerous studies on this topic have been reviewed several times (e.g., Becker, 1986;Eagly, 1978;Eagly & Carli, 1981). Less attention, however, has been devoted to the effect of a person's gender on his or her ability to influence others, an ability that can contribute to effective management in organizations and is associated with career advancement and increases in salary (Dreher, Dougherty, & Whitely, 1989;Kanter, 1977;Rao, Schmidt, & Murray, 1995). Consequently, examining the factors that contribute to gender differences in social influence has implications for understanding women's leadership. This article reviews research on gender differences in exerting influence, including the factors that moderate the gender differences.In most settings, women possess lower levels of status and power than men do, particularly power based on expertise or legitimate authority (Carli, 1999; Ridgeway, this issue). Because men and women typically fill different roles, with women