The Implications of the Heidi and Howard Study: Confidence and Likability in Women

Women’s Career Advancement

The landmark study conducted by Frank Flynn of Columbia Business School and Cameron Anderson of Stanford University, commonly referred to as the "Heidi and Howard" study, has illuminated persistent gender biases in the perception of confidence and likability in professional contexts. The study explores how identical behaviors in men and women are interpreted differently, shedding light on the challenges confident women face in being perceived as both competent and likable. We delve into the implications of this phenomenon, and critique the cultural narrative that pits confidence against likability in women.

The Heidi and Howard Study
The study involved presenting participants with a case study about a venture capitalist, Heidi Roizen. Half of the participants were given the case with Heidi's name, while the other half were given the same case with the name changed to Howard. The findings were stark: while both Heidi and Howard were rated as equally competent, Heidi was perceived as les…