A Phenomenological Inquiry of Women’s Lived Experiences in Preparing for High-Level Leadership Positions

Book excerpt: The purpose of the qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the influence of leadership development or succession-planning programs upon women's progression to high-level positions and their continued success in the executive ranks. A qualitative methodology provided a detailed and rich understanding of the experiences of women in high-level leadership from the perspectives of women who have experienced leadership development or succession-planning programs. Twenty women in high-level leadership positions employed in for-profit organizations in the eastern United States were the focus of the study. The results revealed that while some aspects of the programs were effective, upon promotion to their high-level positions, most of the women leaders expressed a lack of preparation for their high-level positions. Key issues the women executives indicated were missing in existing leadership development and succession-planning programs were (a) on-the-job training, (b) lack of mentors, and (c) job rotation.