Transational vs. transformational Leadership gender differences

William B. Snavely

Authors adopt the Full Range Leadership (FRL) model to explore male and female students’ perception of instructor leadership behaviors. The model uses the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) instrument to measure the transactional and transformational leadership styles as perceived by followers. A sample of 429 students from a large Midwest university (57% female and 43% male) and 21 faculty members participated in the study. The data were collected in a period of two semesters based on faculty willingness to participate in the study. The results indicate certain gender differences in instructor leadership rating by students. Although the study’s context is instructional setting, the results provide indications that may be contrary to the adoption of universal organizational practices to optimize on the efficiency of human capital.