Gender Roles and Leadership Perceptions: A Correlation Analysis of Leadership Biases in the Asia-Pacific Workforce

The underrepresentation of women and gender-diverse individuals in leadership positions remains a persistent issue across many organizations, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. This study investigated whether perceptions of leadership are influenced by deep-rooted gender roles among professionals from the Asia-Pacific region. The results of correlation analysis revealed a significant association between traditional gender role beliefs and leadership perceptions, with stronger biases linked to lower support for gender-inclusive leadership. Findings align with prior literature emphasizing how entrenched gender norms shape leadership evaluations. The results underscore the need for multifaceted interventions, including mentorship, explicit diversity targets, and inclusive leadership development, to dismantle persistent barriers and promote gender-balanced leadership across diverse organizational contexts.