Gender and style in bureaucracy

Using data from a survey of Wisconsin professional and executive civil servants, this article examines the gendered nature of the Weberian bureaucracy by exploring respondents' behavioral styles and their views of the ideal bureaucrat. We find that the preferred bureaucrat is gender neutral with equal value placed on feminine and masculine characteristics. Both women and men cross gender stereotypes in their behavioral styles as well as in their perceptions of good administrators and good colleagues. Women shun negative masculine and feminine traits while endorsing those traits valued most by bureaucrats, especially those important for achieving results.