Arbeitspapier

Identity challenges of women leaders: Antecedents and consequences of identity interference

We explore the antecedents and consequences of women leaders' identity interference related to the perceived conflict between their roles as both women and leaders. Drawing on identity development and organizational demography research, we propose that leadership experience reduces women leaders' identity interference, whereas women's numerical underrepresentation in organizations exacerbates it. Moreover, we hypothesize that identity processes related to collective self-esteem - personal regard for one's collective identity and the perception of others' views of it - mediate these effects. A sample of 722 women leaders representing a diverse range of countries and industries supported our hypotheses. We also demonstrate that identity interference reduces the psychological well-being of women leaders and undermines their affective motivation to lead. In contrast, perceived conflict between leader and female identities enhances women's sense of duty to assume leadership roles. Importantly, women leaders' personal regard for their female identity buffers the detrimental effect of identity interference on life satisfaction. We discuss the implications of our results for women's advancement in organizations and the development of their identity as leaders.

Language
Englisch

Bibliographic citation
Series: ESMT Working Paper ; No. 11-13

Classification
Management
Subject
women leaders
identity interference
collective self-esteem
well-being
motivation to lead
leader development
organizational demography
Weibliche Führungskräfte
Persönlichkeitspsychologie
Führungsstil
Verhalten in Organisationen

Event
Geistige Schöpfung
(who)
Karelaia, Natalia
Guillén, Laura
Event
Veröffentlichung
(who)
European School of Management and Technology (ESMT)
(where)
Berlin
(when)
2011

Handle
URN
urn:nbn:de:101:1-201201176387
Last update
10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET

Data provider

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Object type

  • Arbeitspapier

Associated

  • Karelaia, Natalia
  • Guillén, Laura
  • European School of Management and Technology (ESMT)

Time of origin

  • 2011

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