Gender-Differences in Affective Motivation to Lead. The Roles of Risk Propensity & Self-Stereotyping

Abstract

Compared to men, women are still underrepresented in top leadership positions. With regard to gender differences, empirical research lacks studies examining “want-to-factors”, i.e., motivational factors. This study closes this research gap by investigating affective motivation to lead (AFF-MTL), i.e. an individual’s desire to lead. By examining the influence of the individual characteristics (1) gender stereotypical self-characterization and (2) domain-specific risk propensity (career, financial, health, and social risk propensity), this study contributes to the understanding of gender differences in AFF-MTL. The empirical analysis is based on an online survey of German employees in 2020 (N = 651). The results show, that on average, men have higher AFF-MTL than women. For both men and women higher self-described agency assertiveness is related to higher AFF-MTL. Scoring higher on self-described communion morality is related to lower AFF-MTL only for women. While financial risk propensity does not relate to an individual’s AFF-MTL, for men both higher health and social risk propensity are related to higher AFF-MTL. For women higher career risk propensity relates to higher AFF-MTL. Further, we find that the largest part in women’s and men’s difference in AFF-MTL can be explained by gender differences in agency assertiveness, and the control variables leadership responsibility and leader self-efficacy. Theoretical and practical implications are derived.