Beyond the double bind: female leaders' experience in corporate South Africa

Abstract

This research investigated how women in senior leadership roles in corporate South Africa, experience and navigate the double bind in their careers, guided by role congruity theory. Furthermore, it investigated how women leaders are developing their leadership styles given these contradictory expectations, to provide insights beyond gender and into the evolution of an understanding of leadership. Data was collected via 18 semi-structured interviews with senior women, currently sitting on the executive committee of their respective organisation, or reporting to a member of the executive committee. Qualitative narrative inquiry via induction was employed to understand their lived experiences of the double bind. Reflexive thematic analysis found that senior women leaders in South Africa, are actively reframing the tightrope of the double bind, viewing it as more than a personal dilemma, but as a clear indicator of an outdated leadership model. Their navigation strategies are underpinned by a decision to focus on authenticity as the anchor. This authenticity is a contextual intelligence tool, empowering them beyond the binary conundrum (agency vs. communion), toward a fluid, relational and effective leadership spectrum. This research contributes to challenging the notion of the double bind and how women view it, implying that they see as perpetuating the underdeveloped definition of leadership, rather than as a barrier that limits their personal effectiveness. Systemic support for women and a deeper understanding of the role of culture on women leaders’ success and integration, remains relevant, with an emphasis on the need to include women in the leadership of cultural transformation programs. Furthermore, identity work can empower women to operate authentically beyond the double bind. Similar studies amongst younger female leaders and at lower levels in organisations, would detail how the double bind is experienced at more junior levels. An emphasis on intersectionality and the relationship between race, culture, age and gender in the double bind experience, would close the gap in this study. The research did not consider the complexity of sex and gender, nor did it consider transgender or non-binary identities.