Singaporeans prefer male leaders

The fairer gender needs some work when it comes to leadership and communication, according to Singaporeans.

The latest annual Ketchum Leadership Communication Monitor (KLCM) found  three-quarters of Singaporeans believe male leaders are more capable than female leaders of navigating the country through challenging and rapidly changing times over the next five years.

The report found Singapore’s male leaders surpass female leaders on all key attributes polled.

These included leading by example (63% vs 37%), admitting mistakes (53% vs 47%) and communicating openly and transparently (55% vs 45%)

Male leaders were also cited as handling controversial issues more calmly and confidently than women (75% vs 25%), and bringing out the best in others (58% vs 42%).

By contrast, the 13-country poll of over 6,500 people showed narrower differences between global perceptions of male and female leaders.

On a global scale, male leaders edged out their female counterparts quite marginally, (54% vs 46%) when it came to leadership over the next five years.

“It is interesting to note that despite a new, more ‘feminine’ leadership archetype emerging globally, Singaporeans are still more inclined to support male leaders,” John Bailey, managing director of Ketchum ICON, Singapore, said.

"Whatever the reasons, it is important for leaders of both genders to note the key leadership communication attributes deemed most important by the public and to heed the  critical lessons here, as they seek to understand how current gaps in global leadership can be addressed."

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