THE EVOLUTION OF GENDER STEREOTYPES IN LEADERSHIP NARRATIVES
THE EVOLUTION OF GENDER STEREOTYPES IN LEADERSHIP NARRATIVES

Author(s): Pinto Zeala
Subject(s): Social Sciences, Human Resources in Economy
Published by: Editura Universităţii »Alexandru Ioan Cuza« din Iaşi
Keywords: gender stereotypes; feminist theories; leadership representation; tokenism, Queen Bee phenomenon
Summary/Abstract: This paper critically examines the evolution of gender stereotypes in leadership narratives from 1970 to 2024, focusing on the shift in portraying male and female leaders. Using a comprehensive theoretical framework that integrates feminist theories, linguistic insights, and leadership representation perspectives, the study explores how leadership narratives have gradually moved away from traditional gendered expectations. Key themes discussed include tokenism, gendered organizations, bias in leadership evaluations (Eagly, Makhijani and Klonsky, 1992), workplace humor (Holmes, 2000), backlash against agentic women (Rudman and Glick, 2001), the communality deficit (Heilman & Okimoto, 2007), emotional expression (Brescoll and Uhlmann, 2008), the glass ceiling (Powell and Butterfield, 2015), and the Queen Bee phenomenon (Derks, Van Laar and Ellemers, 2016). The analysis is anchored in key theoretical foundations such as Role Congruity Theory (Eagly and Karau, 2002) and Social Role Theory, which offer insights into how societal expectations have historically shaped perceptions of leadership competence and authority. The study’s findings, derived from textual analysis, reveal a marked evolution in the language, narrative structures, and gendered portrayals of leadership. The paper highlights the persistence of contradictions, such as the communal deficit and biases favoring male leaders, but also underscores a growing trend toward inclusivity, where leadership traits are evaluated based on competence rather than gender. The discussion contextualizes these changes within broader societal shifts, particularly in the workplace, where efforts to dismantle gendered leadership stereotypes have gained traction. Limitations of the study are acknowledged, particularly the need for empirical data to supplement textual analysis, and future research avenues are proposed. These include further exploration of intersectional dynamics and the implications of global societal changes on leadership narratives.

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