Leader Behavior Expectations from a Gender Perspective: An Extension of the LEAD Study in Mexico

Abstract

The underrepresentation of women in leadership roles in Mexico is well-documented. This quantitative research was designed to measure female and male participant expectations of effective leaders. Podsakoff et al.’s (1990) scale of transformational and transactional leader behaviors was used. Factors analyses and t-tests were conducted. The results suggest that female and male participants attribute similar levels of importance to the role of the leader in inspiring a shared vision among followers. The results also suggest that women in the sample attribute less importance to working across organizational boundaries and setting high performce expectations than men in sample. Limitations, implications, and future research are discussed.