How Gender Shapes Your Influence: Dominance or Prestige?

What is it about?

This article examines how men and women gain social influence or status in groups by using two different strategies: dominance (being assertive, forceful, or controlling) and prestige (gaining respect by being helpful, skilled, and sharing knowledge). The research, based on real-world social interactions on Twitter, finds that people react differently when men and women use these strategies. Men who act dominant tend to gain influence, whereas women who behave dominantly often lose influence. Conversely, women who use prestige to gain respect tend to become more influential, while men who use prestige initially struggle. Over time, however, these gender-based differences become smaller. Ultimately, the study suggests that although dominance may help men gain short-term influence, it becomes less effective over time. Prestige, on the other hand, proves to be a more reliable long-term strategy for both genders. This research highlights how deeply-held gender stereotypes shape our judgments about leadership, influence, and status, and emphasizes that choosing the right approach—dominance or prestige—can significantly impact someone’s ability to be influential in professional and social settings.

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Photo by Mapbox on Unsplash

Photo by Mapbox on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study is important because it offers new insights into why certain leadership styles and behaviors help or hinder men and women differently when trying to gain influence. While past research generally assumed that dominance (assertiveness) and prestige (being respected and helpful) work equally well for everyone, this paper uniquely shows that gender stereotypes significantly shape how effective these strategies actually are. The research also uses real-world social network data from Twitter, tracking thousands of interactions over time, making the findings both realistic and timely in our digital age. As workplaces and social interactions become increasingly virtual, understanding how gender biases operate online is crucial. The findings could help individuals—especially women and men pursuing leadership roles—make better-informed choices about their strategies for gaining influence, avoiding potential backlash, and succeeding in professional or personal settings. It also offers guidance for organizations aiming to promote fairer, bias-free environments, emphasizing that although gender stereotypes are persistent, familiarity and time can help overcome them.