Political skill, motivation to lead, and gender: key factors for inclusive leadership behaviour

This study aims to analyse the impact of political skill and motivation to lead (MTL) on the adoption of an inclusive leadership style. Additionally, it examines the moderating role of the leader’s gender in the relationship between MTL and inclusive leadership. A sample of 201 public and private sector leaders employed across various organisations in Lebanon was analysed using the PROCESS macro. The findings support the direct positive relationships between political skill and MTL in the adoption of inclusive leadership. Furthermore, they also show an indirect influence of political skill on inclusive leadership through MTL. Finally, the results highlight that the leader’s gender moderates the relationship between MTL and inclusive leadership style, with the relationship being stronger among male leaders. This study contributes to human resource development research by providing novel insights into the development of inclusive leadership, a leadership style that is highly beneficial for organisational success. The confirmation of the moderating effect of gender highlights the need to design leadership development initiatives and policies that are sensitive to gender-specific leadership dynamics.