Breaking Through the Brass Ceiling: New Perspectives in Female Leadership Development

• In Event: 33.078 - Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: 33.078-20 - Gendered Constructions and New Perspectives of Female Leadership

Abstract

In this study, researchers investigated leadership development for women seeking executive positions in the traditionally male-dominated field of law enforcement. Leadership tools and strategies such as self-awareness of strengths, self-reliance, and sense of self-efficacy proved to be beneficial in providing women with the tools for both acquiring and maintaining executive positions in this field. The perceptions, attitudes, and skills of nineteen potential women law enforcement leaders were assessed during a one-week leadership development session using (a) Likert-type survey, (b) reflection logs, (c) personal action plans, and (d) group interviews. Overall results offered supporting evidence that this type of leadership development not only aligned with participants’ needs and objectives, but exceeded expectations and was considered life changing for many participants.

Authors

• Magdalena Anna Denham, Sam Houston State University

• Barbara Eleanor Polnick, Sam Houston State University

• Julia Nell Ballenger, Texas A&M University - Commerce