Decoding Alpha Females: Manoeuvring through the Maze of Adaptability and Emotional Closeness Compared to Non-alpha Peers

Abstract

This study delves into the comparative abilities of alpha and non-alpha females in managing workplace complexity, referred to as adaptive performance, while also examining their emotional support networks. Employing a convenience sample of 380 female professionals, the research establishes a significant link between alpha female traits and enhanced adaptive performance, with age and marital status as influential covariates. Further analysis shows no significant correlation between alpha female status and the choice of closest confidants, indicating that alpha females sustain varied emotional support networks unrelated to their leadership style. Additionally, the study introduces the “Adaptive Leadership Femininity” framework, which posits that traditional feminine traits significantly bolster adaptive performance, advocating a nuanced leadership approach.

Keywords: alpha status, non-alpha females, adaptive performance, emotional proximity, age

DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2024.85.1.67-88