10.2190/CN.31.2.c G8H6018J6780515M 3 Perceived Steward Success and Leadership Efficacy: The Role of Gender Similarity 141 153 20080116 20080116 20080116 20080116 G8H6018J6780515M.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=G8H6018J6780515M 2 Lizabeth A. Barclay Steven Mellor Carrie A. Bulger Lisa M. Kath Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan University of Connecticut Quinnipiac University, Connecticut We investigated the interactive effect of gender similarity and the self-efficacy induction mode of vicarious experience (modeling) on leadership self-efficacy in a union. Members of a local union responded to a mail-in survey that included items on modeling (perceived steward success), self-efficacy to be a steward, and gender of member and steward. We proposed that the effect of modeling on self-efficacy to be a steward would be augmented by gender as a shared attribute of members and stewards. In particular, we hypothesized that positive modeling-efficacy relationships would be strongest in the same-gender (women with women stewards, men with men stewards) and weakest in cross-gender cases (women with men stewards, men with women stewards). The results confirmed our hypothesis. We offered intervention suggestions that might be used to increase the potency of modeling in developing future union leaders, especially women leaders.