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Sherman, Gary

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Sherman

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Sherman, Gary

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2012 - 20152

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Author's Publications: search.filters.isAuthorOfPublication.c9a6a559-f889-4bc3-81bc-ad1451ec537e

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    The Interaction of Testosterone and Cortisol Is Associated With Attained Status in Male Executives.
    (American Psychological Association (APA), 2015) Sherman, Gary; Lerner, Jennifer; Josephs, Robert A.; Renshon, Jonathan; Gross, James J.
    Are hormone levels associated with the attainment of social status? Although endogenous testosterone predicts status-seeking social behaviors, research suggests that the stress hormone cortisol may inhibit testosterone’s effects. Thus, individuals with both high testosterone and low cortisol may be especially likely to occupy high-status positions in social hierarchies while individuals with high testosterone and high cortisol may not. We tested this hypothesis by recruiting a sample of real executives and examining testosterone, cortisol, and a concrete indicator of attained status: the number of subordinates over which the executive has authority. Despite the myriad nonhormonal factors that determine organizational promotion, the executives’ endogenous testosterone and cortisol interacted to significantly predict hierarchical position: Testosterone positively predicted executives’ number of subordinates, but only among low-cortisol executives. The results imply that reducing cortisol levels via stress reduction may be a critical goal not only because doing so will improve health but also because doing so may enhance leadership potential.
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    Leadership Is Associated with Lower Levels of Stress
    (2012-11-02) Sherman, Gary; Lee, J. J.; Cuddy, Amy; Renshon, Jonathan; Oveis, Christopher; Gross, James J.; Lerner, Jennifer
    As leaders ascend to more powerful positions in their groups, they face ever-increasing demands. This has given rise to the common perception that leaders have higher stress levels than non-leaders. But if leaders also experience a heightened sense of control—a psychological factor known to have powerful stress-buffering effects—leadership should be associated with reduced stress levels. Using unique samples of real leaders, including military officers and government officials, we found that, compared to non-leaders, leaders had lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and lower reports of anxiety (Study 1). In a second study, leaders holding more powerful positions exhibited lower cortisol levels and less anxiety than leaders holding less powerful positions, a relationship explained significantly by their greater sense of control. Altogether, these findings reveal a clear relationship between leadership and stress, with leadership level being inversely related to stress.