Role Congruity Theory at Sail Caribbean

While considering leadership theories and styles during my time at Sail Caribbean, I have repeatedly thought of role congruity theory. Staff members at Sail Caribbean make up many different positions and roles, most of which align with their gender biases. Positions that pertain to mechanics, engines, and directing large numbers of people are typically held by males and only very rarely held by women. On the other hand, roles that pertain to the wellbeing of the students and provisioning food are held by women. While there are exceptions to females taking typically masculine positions, it is extremely rare for a male to take a typically feminine role. Role congruity theory plays a very important role in the dynamic of Sail Caribbean’s leadership team. Because of the nature of the roles that men take, women are often cast out of the executive director positions. While I do not believe that this has caused issues in the past or currently, I do wonder about what improvements could be made by reevaluating the gender biases in leadership positions within the company.

Role congruity theory plays a huge role in the way that Sail Caribbean functions on a larger level. The stereotypes behind each position affect the way that someone’s ability to perform are evaluated. The positions that I have held at Sail Caribbean (mate, captain, and provisions manager) have allowed me to experience role congruity theory firsthand. As a mate (a typically feminine position) I thrived and never had any issues, whereas as a captain (a typically masculine position) I struggled at times because I was not viewed as as firm or strict with the students compared to other captains who were males. At first I did not understand that these specific biases existed but after time, and adjusting my way of interacting with the students and other staff members, I was able to be viewed as more firm, despite the gender biases that exist.