Experiences and outcomes of a women’s leadershipdevelopment program: A phenomenological investigation
Journal of Leadership Education
ISSN: 1552-9045
Article publication date: 15 August 2016
Issue publication date: 15 August 2016
Abstract
Women’s leadership training programs provide organizations opportunities to value women leaders as organizational resources. This qualitative research utilized phenomenological methodology to examine lived experiences of seven alumni of a women’s-only leadership program. We conducted semi-structured interviews to clarify what learning elements were most beneficial in furthering an individuals’ leadership role. Emerging research themes included perceptional and personal agency changes within participants. Women’s leadership programs provided an opportunity for cognitive, affective, and behavioral growth; engaging learning activities, social capital development, and relational model methodologies were perceived as most helpful in leadership development. Action learning techniques, fostering interconnectedness, and philosophical leadership development activities were critical elements in leadership development. Insights gained from this study provided perspective on the unique experiences of women in a leadership training program.
Citation
Brue, K.L. and Brue, S.A. (2016), "Experiences and outcomes of a women’s leadershipdevelopment program: A phenomenological investigation", Journal of Leadership Education, Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 75-93. https://doi.org/10.12806/V15/I3/R2
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, The Journal of Leadership Education