Gender and gendered personality traits of the leader: Role of need for leadership

The landscape of leadership is often dominated by gender stereotypes, where men are predominantly preferred for leadership roles. This study delves into the tangled dynamics of leadership preferences, specifically examining the impact of gender, gendered personality traits and the individual's need for leadership. Drawing on the framework proposed by de Vries (1998) on the "Need for Leadership," this research investigates the preferences among four leader profiles: masculine-male, masculine-female, feminine-male, and feminine-female. The study, conducted with 248 participants from Amazon's MTurk, utilized a two-by-two design to present these profiles and evaluate their suitability as leaders. Results challenge conventional gender norms, suggesting that the preference for leaders is not solely determined by traditional gender stereotypes but is influenced by individual needs for leadership. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of aligning leadership styles with followers' needs, emphasizing the potential for enhanced work engagement and performance. This study offers significant contributions to the literature on gender and leadership, suggesting a more inclusive understanding of leadership dynamics that goes beyond traditional gendered expectations. Keywords: gender, gendered personality traits, need for leadership