Women in leadership: An examination of transformational leadership, gender role orientation and leadership effectiveness (A case study of Pakistan and Turkey)

The purpose of this study was to examine transformational leadership, gender role orientation and leadership effectiveness of male and female leaders within the context of education and health departments in Pakistan and Turkey. This research examined in detail the three leadership styles (Transformational, Transactional and Laissez Faire) with respect to gender (male and female), region (Pakistan and Turkey) and department, (Education and Health). Surveys were sent to four hundred (n=400) male and female leaders in education and health departments where 184 questionnaire were returned from Pakistan and 120 sample respondents contributed from Turkey. Among 12 factors (Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire 5x short Form), nine factors were employed to evaluate components of leadership style, while the remaining three factors were labeled as an outcome measures. There found to be but small differences in the leadership styles (transformational, transactional & laissez faire) of males and females. In comparison to transformational and transactional leadership styles, males and females both scored higher on transformational leadership style as compared to transactional leadership style. The score of laissez faire leadership style remained below of both the transformational and transactional leadership styles. Examining the leadership styles with respect to region, the results indicated significant differences in the leadership styles of leaders in Pakistan and Turkey.