Mentoring experiences of women leaders in advancing to senior positions at a South African university

Abstract

Underrepresented of women in leadership positions persist, more so in senior positions. This reality exists in many sectors, including the Higher Education sector globally. Many factors leading to this have been identified, including lack of support, patriarchy, and limited suitable development and mentorship for women. Despite these drawbacks, however, there are enablers noted to contribute to women’s leadership success. Mentoring is among such and has been acknowledged as one of the strategies that could be used to challenge the status quo and prepare more women leaders to break the ceiling and advance to senior positions. However, despite such recognition, very little is known about the process of mentoring women leaders towards their advancement to senior positions, especially in South African higher education institutions. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore mentoring experiences of women leaders during their advancement to senior positions at a South African university. It has contributed to the limited body of knowledge that presently exists on this research phenomenon. The study involved purposively sampled women leaders occupying senior leadership positions – from the lowest level of Head of Department to the senior level of Dean in nine faculties of one South African university – who shared their mentoring experiences. In addition, the study included five mentors who shared valuable information about their role in developing these women leaders. They were selected through snowball sampling. The study was located within an interpretivist research paradigm utilising a case study design. One public university in South Africa was thefore sampled. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews and the analysis of mentorship policies, which was thereafter analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.The study found mentorship to result in women leadership development, encouragement, and improved confidence due to the support that women receive. It also opened leadership opportunities, and thus enabled women to advance to senior positions. This study has proposed a model for mentoring women towards leadership in higher education from the findings. This bridged the knowledge gap on how mentorship for women leaders should be conducted.