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Learning and Leading: Approaches to Leadership Self-Development Among Women Executives of Philanthropic Organizations

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Date Issued:
2007
Summary:
The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore the selfdevelopment of women executives of philanthropic organizations to determine their approaches to learning for leading. Women occupy 1.4% to 53% of the executive positions in the U.S. depending on the sector, yet little is known about their learning needs and strategies. The research questions asked how these women executives learned to develop successfully in their positions and what informal learning strategies they used. This study explored the perspectives of 22 women executives of philanthropic organizations in South Florida and Western Washington. The foundations represented by the participants varied widely in size, purpose, and structure. The study yields evidence that learning and leading are inextricably connected. There is also evidence that learning needs and learning strategies change over the course of one's career. They use a variety of learning resources including mentors, workshops, and resources such as books, journals and the internet. Early strategies include training and mentoring. Later strategies refine conceptual skills through conversations with colleagues. Discussion includes implications for executive development programs and recommendations for practice and further research.
Title: Learning and Leading: Approaches to Leadership Self-Development Among Women Executives of Philanthropic Organizations.
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Name(s): Liddell, Theresa N.
Guglielmino, Lucy M., Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2007
Date Issued: 2007
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 152 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore the selfdevelopment of women executives of philanthropic organizations to determine their approaches to learning for leading. Women occupy 1.4% to 53% of the executive positions in the U.S. depending on the sector, yet little is known about their learning needs and strategies. The research questions asked how these women executives learned to develop successfully in their positions and what informal learning strategies they used. This study explored the perspectives of 22 women executives of philanthropic organizations in South Florida and Western Washington. The foundations represented by the participants varied widely in size, purpose, and structure. The study yields evidence that learning and leading are inextricably connected. There is also evidence that learning needs and learning strategies change over the course of one's career. They use a variety of learning resources including mentors, workshops, and resources such as books, journals and the internet. Early strategies include training and mentoring. Later strategies refine conceptual skills through conversations with colleagues. Discussion includes implications for executive development programs and recommendations for practice and further research.
Identifier: FA00000676 (IID)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2007.
College of Education
Subject(s): Leadership in women
Women executives
Charitable uses, trusts, and foundations--United States--Management
Executive ability
Learning, Psychology of
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000676
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.