A Cross-Cultural Comparison of Leadership Choices: Commonalities and Differences Among Female Leaders in the United States, Kazakhstan and Sweden

• Main Author: Mukazhanova, Karina
• Other Authors: Carpenter, Kathie
• Language: en_US
• Published: University of Oregon 2012
• Subjects: Cross-cultural communication; Female leadership; International human resources management
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1794/12398

This study examines commonalities and differences in leadership choices preferred by female leaders in Kazakhstan, Sweden and the United States of America. The results of the study show that all respondents (1) value the same leadership traits; (2) recognize the importance of mentorship; (3) share the same opinion about what is the most common mistake that can derail a leader's career and (4) face the same challenges at the workplace. The study revealed differences in following categories: (1) family-work balance issue; (2) conflicts at the workplace; (3) leadership development practices; (4) choosing among equally - qualified candidates. Since the entire Central Asian region is largely overlooked in cultural analysis of managerial styles, I also suggest an original cultural metaphor for Kazakhstan and an original dimensional analysis of Kazakh culture. I also argue that leadership choices develop and transform over the time adjusting to the changes of the social reality.