Haas School Professor on the Perception of Physical Strength in Leadership
Cameron Anderson, professor of management at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, recently co-authored a research paper addressing the perception of physical strength in those with leadership roles.
The research will be published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
A simple example of this is the defeat of California Governor Gray Davis by the relatively politically inexperienced Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 2003 recall election. The difference in physical stature between the two is nothing if not obvious.
Professor Anderson, along with his co-author, University of Oklahoma Assistant Professor Aaron Lukaszewski conducted a series of experiments using a hydraulic machine that measured the arm and chest strength of a test group of men. After the measurements were taken, the men were photographed from the knees up in order to show their chest and arm muscles prominently.
A 50-50 group of men and women were then asked to look at the photographs, and were told that they would be rating individuals who had recently joined a consulting firm. They were asked questions related to whether each man would be a good leader, how effective each man was in handling the dynamics of a group, and how quickly each man would ascend in the ranks of the company.
Those who responded to the questionnaire consistently rated the men with higher strength measurements as more effective leaders with the greatest advancement potential. To prove that the ratings were not based on the perception that the ‘more attractive’ workers advance most quickly, the researchers Photoshopped weaker men’s heads onto stronger men’s bodies.
Professor Anderson was careful to note that, despite the findings, shorter, weaker individuals are not necessarily always bound for success. “Perceived strength does give people an advantage but it’s not make or break… If you’re behaving in ways that demonstrate you are a leader or are not a leader, strength doesn’t matter.”
About the Author
Maggie Boccella
Maggie Boccella, a lifelong resident of Philadelphia, is a freelance writer, artist and photographer. She has consulted on various film and multimedia projects, and she also serves as a juror for the city's annual LGBTQIA Film Festival.
