Managing to clear the air: Stereotype threat, women, and leadership

In this article, we explore the process and implications of stereotype threat for women in leadership, broadly construed. First, we provide a brief background on the phenomenon of stereotype threat generally. Next, we explore stereotype threat for women in leadership by reviewing a model of stereotype threat in leadership contexts that includes cues to stereotype threat, consequences of stereotype threat, and moderators of stereotype threat appraisals. In this review, we include research looking at the broader category of women in the workplace such as women who take on male dominated occupations, jobs, etc., as well as relevant skill sets around effective workplace behavior that have later impact on leadership. Finally, we examine methods of leadership development for individuals and organizations that can help ameliorate the effects of stereotype threat.