Smile less, get ahead at work
LONDON. June 13. KAZINFORM One way for women to combat the stereotype that they are less fit as leaders than men is to be less cheerful and show more pride, a new study suggests.
The study, conducted by researchers at the Technische Universität München School of Management, found that for both men and women, expressing pride gave the impression that one is willing to lead, especially when compared to expressions of happiness. But the difference was more pronounced among women.
Isabell Welpe, a professor who was part of the study, said past research has shown it is important for people wanting to reach a leadership position to be seen as both able and willing to do so, and that emotional display played a part in these perceptions.
Researchers studied the perceptions by showing participants photographs of people with various facial expressions, as well as written scenarios describing expressions, and asking what they expected out of the individuals' leadership potential, CNN informed.
"The main finding was that, yes, pride works in increasing a perceived willingness to lead. But then we also found differences for men and women, especially in the happiness condition: When they showed happiness, women were perceived as being less willing to lead than men."
Full story