The Impact of Gender Differences between Leaders and Team Members on Leadership Styles in Group Collaboration

Abstract

The influence of gender difference on leadership style is one of the key topics in today's research. Although research has explored the relationship between leadership style and organizational performance, there is still a lack of in-depth understanding of how gender differences affect the interactions between leaders and team members. To fill this research gap, this paper examines the influence of gender differences on leadership style choice and effectiveness in teamwork. Using quantitative research methods, we analyzed data from 258 participants from different work environments. The results show that gender differences significantly affect the choice and effect of leadership style, and leaders of different genders tend to adopt different leadership styles, which have different effects on team cohesion and motivation. Specifically, female leaders are more likely to adopt a transformational leadership style, while male leaders are more likely to adopt a transactional leadership style. The findings highlight that to improve team effectiveness and promote a more inclusive and equitable work environment, organizations should consider adopting gender-sensitive leadership strategies. This study provides a new perspective for understanding the role of gender dynamics in organizational leadership and provides a theoretical basis for optimizing leadership practice.