How women in STEM develop and transition into leadership

Abstract

The challenges women experience in ascending the career ladder and assuming leadership are well known. The same experiences for women in traditionally male dominated environments are less understood. The transition to leadership for these women occurs through non-conscious practices driven by their traits as top performers, constantly seeking challenges and wanting to rise above the barriers that inhibit their career progression. The study sought to understand how women in STEM with a PhD emerge as leaders, develop their leadership ability and transition to leadership. A narrative enquiry, design established that support interventions of mentorship, coaching and a value-based system coupled with resilience self- awareness and motivation as personality traits interact with the context and gender role expectations of women. Context influences leadership emergence and the type and quality of support impacts the probability of success of a transition and success when in leadership roles. The research presents a framework for organisations to assess the effectiveness of support provided to women in STEM and how programmes should be structured to improve outcomes that positively influence the numbers of women in STEM in leadership.