Gender, culture, and leadership: shaping respectful practices and employee engagement

This study explores the interplay between gender, culture, and respectful leadership, focusing on their combined influence on employee engagement. Drawing on data from 280 participants in the UK (Anglo cluster) and Italy (Latin Europe cluster), we examined the impact of gender and national culture on the adherence to respectful leadership, and their combined effect on employee engagement. Results indicate that while no significant gender differences emerged in the adoption of respectful leadership, female leaders elicited higher engagement. Cultural context moderated the gender–engagement relationship, with Italian female leaders linked to the highest engagement levels. These findings suggest that while respectful leadership is not inherently gendered, female leaders may elicit greater engagement—by working harder to overcome competence biases—particularly in cultures with stronger gender norms. The study contributes to understanding how leadership behaviours, gender, and culture interact, offering valuable insights for developing inclusive leadership practices across diverse organisational settings.