Racial differences in perceptions of leadership.

Abstract

The leadership phenomenon has been researched for decades. It has traditionally examined White male leadership from a White male perspective. As the workplace continues to become more diverse and organizations endeavor to manage diversity, it is important to strive to understand how different racial groups perceive leadership. The purpose of this study was to examine racial differences in perceptions of leadership. Specifically, do Black, White, and Hispanic people perceive leadership differently? It was hypothesized that Blacks would have a greater preference for consideration and initiation personality characteristics, behaviors, and situations, than White or Hispanic participants. A total of 126 participants (Black, n= 41; White, n= 66; Hispanic, n= 19) completed an informed consent, demographic information sheet, and a Leadership Perceptions Questionnaire. Utilization of analysis of variance statistical analysis yielded no differences between the three groups with reference to preference for consideration and initiation personality characteristics, behaviors, and situations. Furthermore, the Black, White, and Hispanic participants perceived the importance of physical characteristics, demographic characteristics, and intelligence similarly. These results taken together imply strong similarities between the three groups. Study limitations, as well as future research directions are also discussed.