ABSTRACT
Characteristics and motivations for leadership in Lebanese-Australians (LA) and Anglo-Australians (AA) were studied using a questionnaire approach. Items were drawn from a range of previous studies. Subjects were 130 adults from each cultural group with equal numbers of males and females associated with either the community or organizational setting. Significant differences were found on characteristics of leaders: LA leaders were male, religious, family oriented and social, while AA leaders were independent, charismatic and approachable. The LA leaders were motivated by situations associated with other people, while the AAs were motivated by individualism and independence. Significant differences were also found between the organizational and community contexts. The findings are discussed in terms of Hofstede’s construct of individualism-collectivism and Misumi’s PM theory of leadership.
