Employers choose leaders over managers without consideration of the job

The study of 703 people by Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM), found that leadership attributes such as inspiring, encouraging, and motivating people, are typically evaluated more positively than managerial activities such as hiring, supervising, and budgeting in all scenarios.

While there is notable overlap between the behaviours associated with leadership and management, for this study the two styles have been clearly separated.

Associate Professor Hannes Leroy said: “Decision makers are commonly advised to guard against biases against female or minority candidates, but much less attention is given to the risk of over-valuing candidates with leadership skills.

“There is a tendency among people to prefer and select the prototypical leader, even for a situation that really calls for prototypical managing activities.

The researchers warn that decision makers need to be aware that people tend to hold overgeneralised preferences in favour of leaders.

Dr Leroy continued: “We found that people have a romantic view of leadership over management, and this preference may come at the high cost of failing to appreciate the value of management in many situations.

“When a company is in crisis or significant change, you need leadership. In other situations, you need a manager, someone who hires, supervises and budgets.”

According to this research one way to overcome this bias, is to slow the decision process and carefully consider the skills needed for the position.