Leadership Perception Bias

Perception bias in leadership is evident in how people are more inclined to choose men as leaders in successful businesses, while the preference for men diminishes when a business is struggling, indicating a societal association of men with leadership and power. Women entering leadership roles during crises face challenges in receiving support and trust from their teams, as they are perceived as less proven entities and encounter skepticism regarding their potential success. This lack of initial belief in their abilities leads to team members disinvesting from them, making it harder for women to gain the necessary social capital for success. Furthermore, when women are introduced as novel leaders, they are at risk of being used as scapegoats or temporary solutions, bearing the blame for past and present business troubles and becoming symbols of failure.