Originally found at Forbes

As political strategists and journalists query undecided voters ahead of the upcoming presidential election, a recurring sentiment stands out: many remain unsure about Kamala Harris, citing a need for more information. Despite her media presence and debate appearances, these voters still haven’t heard enough to make an informed decision. According to research on female leadership, their hesitation could be more about her gender than her policies.

Research reveals that when assessing female leaders, people often struggle to see women’s potential. Evaluating someone for a role they’ve never held before, like the presidency, requires using our imagination—but our imagination is also where stereotypes are most likely to kick in. Since leadership is traditionally associated with male traits, these stereotypes often cloud our judgment of women, causing us to question whether a woman has what it takes to be a leader or a president. This typically happens without our knowledge or awareness. As a result, some voters can’t picture Harris as president, aren’t sure why, and think they need more information.

...One study published in the Academy of Management Proceedings illustrates how this inability to see a woman’s potential plays out in everyday work situations. The researchers examined the reviews of over 29,000 management-track employees at a large retailer. Women at the retailer were less likely to be promoted because although they received higher performance ratings than men, they were seen as having less future potential than men.

Continue reading the original article at Forbes.

Read the original research in Academy of Management Proceedings.

Learn more about the AOM Scholar and explore their work:

• Alan M. Benson, University of Minnesota