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Dynamics and Dilemmas of Women Leading Women

Author

Listed:
  • Jean M. Bartunek

    (Department of Organization Studies, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467-3808)

  • Kate Walsh

    (School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853-2801)

  • Catherine A. Lacey

    (Spencer Foundation, 875 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 3930, Chicago, Illinois 60611)

Abstract

Through examination of transcripts of the first five leadership succession discussions that occurred in a work group designed to empower teachers we explored dynamics and dilemmas associated with women leading a women's group based on feminist principles. We addressed three research questions: How is leadership, as reflected in leadership succession processes, experienced in such a group? What dynamics are associated with leadership succession in this type of group? What are outcomes of the process for members?Results indicated that the experience of leadership shifted considerably during the first six years of the group, with reflective images of leadership moving from the mythical to the pragmatic, from the powerful to the less powerful. Dynamics evolved in ways that were partially consistent and partially inconsistent with organizational life-cycle literature.The group experienced ambivalence and tension surrounding the type of authority given to designated leaders. Members dealt with discomfort by shifting the focus of the group coordinator's attention to external relations and by rotating internal leadership responsibilities. This approach resolved tensions associated with authority and increased members' senses of their own power, even as it decreased the range of initiative-taking that was implicitly allowable within the group.This analysis of leadership succession in a women's group with an empowerment agenda offers a salient case for the study of dilemmas likely to be present in many change efforts. Its results suggest that attempting to resolve contradictions and tensions is less helpful than acknowledging them and working within them.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean M. Bartunek & Kate Walsh & Catherine A. Lacey, 2000. "Dynamics and Dilemmas of Women Leading Women," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 11(6), pages 589-610, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:11:y:2000:i:6:p:589-610
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.11.6.589.12531
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robert E. Quinn & Kim Cameron, 1983. "Organizational Life Cycles and Shifting Criteria of Effectiveness: Some Preliminary Evidence," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 29(1), pages 33-51, January.
    2. Beverly Virany & Michael L. Tushman & Elaine Romanelli, 1992. "Executive Succession and Organization Outcomes in Turbulent Environments: An Organization Learning Approach," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 3(1), pages 72-91, February.
    3. Idalene F. Kesner & Dan R. Dalton, 1994. "Top Management Turnover And Ceo Succession: An Investigation Of The Effects Of Turnover On Performance," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 701-713, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Michele Williams & Evan Polman, 2015. "Is It Me or Her? How Gender Composition Evokes Interpersonally Sensitive Behavior on Collaborative Cross-Boundary Projects," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(2), pages 334-355, April.
    2. John Thornton & Chrysovalantis Vasilakis, 2024. "Do female CEOs handle crisis better? Evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic," Economics and Business Letters, Oviedo University Press, vol. 13(3), pages 158-171.
    3. M.-J. Avenier & J. Bartunek, 2010. "Bridging a supposedly unbridgeable gap: elaborating scientific knowledge from and for practice," Post-Print halshs-00526745, HAL.
    4. Rigolini, Alessandra & Gabaldon, Patricia & Le Bruyn Goldeng, Eskil, 2021. "CEO succession with gender change in troubled companies: The effect of a new woman CEO on firm risk and firm risk perceived," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 37(1).
    5. Henriksen, Thomas Duus & Nielsen, Rikke Kristine & Vikkelsø, Signe & Bévort, Frans & Mogensen, Mette, 2021. "A paradox rarely comes alone a quantitative approach to investigating knotted leadership paradoxes in SMEs," Scandinavian Journal of Management, Elsevier, vol. 37(1).

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