Leadership is an innate quality, however young people think that leadership can be learnt. Russians become less interested in tough leaders and pay less attention to such characteristics as age, gender, religion, etc.
MOSCOW, April 15, 2020. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the survey data describing the Russian leadership qualities and the Russian view of an ideal leader.
Two-thirds of Russians agree that only those who have innate leadership qualities can successfully organize the working process (64%); over the recent ten years this share has decreased by 6 p.p. This stance is shared by women (71%) and those aged 45-59 (73%) and over 60 (71%). On the contrary, almost one-third of respondents consider that anyone can lead people, and the qualities needed for that can be developed (30%). This point of view is mainly supported by young Russians aged 18-24 (67%), as well as 40% of the 25-34-year-olds (40%) and men (35%).
To become a leader you need a good team (50%), special personality traits and skills (38%), knowledge and professional education (35%), and experience (33%). Fewer Russians consider that money (17%) or connections (16%) can help.
Fifteen percent of Russians say they are or have already been leaders; this share has decreased twofold (30%) since 2018, reaching the level of 1989 (16%; based on a survey of all-Union representative sample). One in three respondents can be leaders in a narrow circle of people (“among themselves”) (34%). Forty-two percent of respondents do not see themselves as a leader and would not want to become one; this percentage has almost doubled over the recent two years (24% in 2018). In addition, 5% say that they have never acted as leaders; however they would like to be one.
Fifty-two percent of Russians happened to work for a tough leader, 24% of them are confident that it is important to obey any superior; 28% say they always tried to break away from such leaders. Forty-five percent of respondents have never faced such type of leaders (+8 p.p. over two years).
If respondents had an opportunity to choose a superior, they would opt for a calm leader rather than an emotional one (73% vs 7%). Five in ten Russians would rather choose an innovative leader than a conservative one (53% vs 12%). Russians are more likely to favor a tough leader than a soft one (48% vs 10%); however, it is not important to 42% of respondents. Age does not matter to 50% of Russians; 45% would choose a more mature leader rather than a younger one (5%). Two-thirds of Russians say that gender is not important to them (66%); 30% prefer a male leader (-26 p.p. since 2018); 4% opt for a female leader. Three-quarters of Russians do not pay attention to the religion of their boss (73%); every tenth Russians would choose an atheist leader (9%); 18%, a religious one. Leader’s ethnicity plays no role, according to 76% of respondents, although every fourth would prefer to have a leader of the same ethnicity (24%).
As to the qualities of an ideal leader, 22% point to honesty and love of truth. Other important qualities include literacy and expertise, culture (19%), care for the team (15%), justice (11%), single-mindedness and ambitions coupled with responsibility (7%, for each).
A portrait of a successful leader looks almost identical in the Russian mind. Single-mindedness, assertiveness and ambitions are ranked first (22%). Other characteristics key to success are literacy, expertise and knowledge (20%), honesty (16%), attention to the subordinates (11%), hard-working attitude and justice (8%, each).
Half of respondents could not describe a modern leader (52%). According to 16% of respondents, a modern leader is first of all greedy and a profit-seeker (16%), indifferent towards and far from people (7%). Dishonesty and lawlessness (4%), corrupt practices and lack of competence (4%) are typical traits of certain leaders.
Simultaneously, respondents also point out a number of positive traits of a modern leader: literacy and knowledge (6%), attention and good attitudes to people (6%), and honesty (4%).
Russian VCIOM-Sputnik survey was conducted on April 9, 2020. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1,600 Russians aged 18 and older. A stratified dual-frame random sample based on a complete list of Russian landline and mobile phone numbers is used. The data were weighted according to selection probability and social and demographic characteristics. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 2.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.
Which of the following opinions do you most agree with? closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||
2010 | 2018 | 2020 | |
Only those who have an innate ability and specific traits, who can act as a leader or a good facilitator can lead people and organize the working process | 70 | 66 | 64 |
Anyone can lead people and be a superior; all necessary leadership qualities and organizational skills can be acquired, developed | 24 | 28 | 30 |
Don’t know | 6 | 6 | 6 |
In your opinion, which of the following things can help become a leader? Up to 3 answers are possible (closed-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents) | |
| Total respondents |
A good team of like-minded persons | 50 |
Special personality traits, talent | 38 |
Knowledge, professional education | 35 |
Experience | 33 |
Money | 17 |
Connections | 16 |
Ability to influence people’s behavior | 12 |
Starting opportunities | 11 |
Belief in success | 11 |
Luck | 8 |
Original idea | 8 |
Having partners | 6 |
Other | 5 |
Don’t know | 3 |
Are there times when you have to be a leader, to lead people, or not? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | ||||
1989* | 2014 | 2018 | 2020 | |
I can always make people follow me | 3 | 10 | 10 | 5 |
There are times when I lead many people | 13 | 19 | 20 | 10 |
I can be a leader but only in a small group, a group of people who I know | 32 | 29 | 36 | 34 |
No, it never happens but sometimes I would like it to happen | 8 | 12 | 6 | 5 |
No, it never happens, it is not for me | 31 | 27 | 24 | 42 |
Don’t know | 13 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
* In 1989, the survey was household-based with a representative all-Union sample; a total of 2,753 respondents aged 16 and older were interviewed.
Have you ever worked under tough leadership of a strong leader? If so, what is your attitude to that? (closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents) | |||||
1989 * | 2014 | 2018 | 2020 |
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Yes, I have. It is important to obey any leader | 22 | 35 | 30 | 24 |
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Yes, but I always try to break away from such leaders | 34 | 27 | 28 | 28 |
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No, I have never had such leaders | 44 | 34 | 37 | 45 |
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Don’t know | - | 4 | 5 | 3 |
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* In 1989, the survey was household-based with a representative all-Union sample; a total of 2,753 respondents aged 16 and older were interviewed.
If you had a choice, what kind of superior would you choose? (closed-ended question, one answer per each pair of statements, % of total respondents) | ||||
1989* | 2014 | 2018 | 2020 | |
Calm | - | 71 | 82 | 73 |
Emotional | - | 11 | 10 | 7 |
It does not matter | - | 18 | 8 | 20 |
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Mature | - | 56 | 62 | 45 |
Young | - | 16 | 8 | 5 |
It does not matter | - | 28 | 30 | 50 |
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Man | 53 | 53 | 56 | 30 |
Woman | 6 | 17 | 9 | 4 |
It does not matter | 41 | 30 | 35 | 66 |
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Of the same ethnicity | 26 | 53 | 35 | 24 |
Of another ethnicity | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
It does not matter | 73 | 43 | 64 | 76 |
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Severe | 53 | 52 | 66 | 48 |
Soft | 21 | 26 | 13 | 10 |
It does not matter | 26 | 22 | 21 | 42 |
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Innovator | - | 51 | 69 | 53 |
Conservative | - | 23 | 16 | 12 |
It does not matter | - | 26 | 15 | 35 |
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Atheist | - | 12 | 14 | 9 |
Believer | - | 32 | 39 | 18 |
It does not matter | - | 56 | 47 | 73 |
* In 1989, the survey was household-based with a representative all-Union sample; a total of 2,753 respondents aged 16 and older were interviewed.
Let us imagine an ideal superior, the one who has a number of extremely positive characteristics essential to effective leadership. Can you cite three characteristics of an ideal leader? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents, answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
2020 | |
Honesty / love of truth | 22 |
Literate / smart / who knows what he/she does / competent / educated / professional | 19 |
Care for people, workers, people / closeness, attention to people | 15 |
Justice | 11 |
Purposefulness, assertiveness, ambition | 7 |
Responsibility | 7 |
Kind / welcoming / responsive / open-minded | 6 |
Rectitude | 6 |
Communicative / tactful / able to work with people | 6 |
Wise / sober-minded / sensible / practical | 4 |
Hard-working / capacity for work | 4 |
Leadership qualities | 4 |
Ability to respond quickly, to make decisions quickly / determinativeness | 4 |
Strong-minded, strong, brave, determined character | 4 |
Harsh / demanding | 4 |
Respect towards people, workers | 3 |
Organizational skills / managerial skills | 3 |
Ability to listen, to reach a compromise / to be receptive to people’s opinions | 3 |
The one who keeps promises / stands by his/her word / committed | 3 |
Even-tempered / able to handle stress / calm | 3 |
Understanding | 2 |
Patriotism / care for the country | 2 |
The one who pays salary on time / high salaries | 2 |
Self-confidence | 2 |
Impartiality / objectiveness / integrity / cold-blooded | 2 |
Not stingy / not greedy / self-denying / incorrupt | 2 |
Polite, educated, intelligent, cultured, well-conducted | 2 |
Other | 29 |
Don’t know | 27 |
Let us imagine a successful business leader whose company prospers. He/she can be someone you know or any other person. Can you cite three characters of a SUCCESSFUL leader? (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of the employed respondents; answers of at least 2% of respondents) | |
2020 | |
Purposefulness, assertiveness, ambition | 22 |
Literate / smart / who knows what he/she does / competent / educated / professional | 20 |
Honesty / love of truth | 16 |
Care for people, workers, people / closeness, attention to people | 11 |
Hard-working / capacity for work | 8 |
Fair | 8 |
Communicative / sociability | 7 |
Rectitude | 6 |
Responsibility | 6 |
Leadership qualities | 6 |
Kind / welcoming / responsive / open-minded | 5 |
Belief in yourself / self-confidence | 5 |
Ability to respond quickly, to make decisions quickly / determinativeness | 4 |
Organizational skills / managerial skills | 4 |
Strong-minded, strong, brave, determined character | 3 |
Farseeing / ability to predict | 3 |
Charisma | 3 |
Team | 3 |
Even-tempered / able to handle stress / calm / reserved | 3 |
Ability to listen, to reach a compromise / to be receptive to people’s opinions | 2 |
Wise / sober-minded / sensible / practical | 2 |
Harsh / demanding | 2 |
Impartiality / objectiveness / integrity / cold-blooded | 2 |
Commercial acumen / tough-mindedness | 2 |
Economist / knowledge of economy / financial literacy | 2 |
Creativity | 2 |
Logical /analytical/ strategic thinking | 2 |
Flexibility | 2 |
Other | 38 |
Don’t know | 24 |
Speaking about modern leaders in our country, directors of companies and organizations, heads of departments and various enterprises, what qualities do they possess? Cite three qualities please. (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% of respondents) Negative qualities | |
2020 | |
Greediness / they think about themselves, self-interest / selfishness | 16 |
Indifference towards people / they are far from people | 7 |
Lack of conscience / they lie / swindlers / they do not abide by the law | 4 |
Corrupt / thieves | 4 |
Stupidity / lack of education / lack of literacy / lack of competence / short views | 4 |
Lack of responsibility | 2 |
Other | 36 |
Don’t know | 52 |
Speaking about modern leaders in our country, directors of companies and organizations, heads of departments and various enterprises, what qualities do they possess? Cite three qualities please (open-ended question, up to 3 answers, % of total respondents; answers of at least 2% of respondents) Positive qualities | |
2020 | |
Literacy / they are skilled in what they do / competent | 6 |
Attention to people / close to people / good attitude towards people | 6 |
Honesty | 4 |
Achievement of goals / single-mindedness | 3 |
Rectitude | 2 |
Responsibility / fulfilling promises | 2 |
Justice | 2 |
Communicative skills / ability to interact, work with people | 2 |
Other | 36 |
Don’t know | 52 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.