Now You See Me, Now You Don’t: A Conceptual Model of the Antecedents and Consequences of Leader Impostorism

2021 ◽  
pp. 014920632110203
Author(s):  
Ronit Kark ◽  
Alyson Meister ◽  
Kim Peters

Impostorism, a phenomenon whereby a person perceives that the role they occupy is beyond their capabilities and puts them at risk of exposure as a “fake,” has attracted plentiful attention in the empirical literature and popular media. However, despite evidence that impostorism is frequently experienced by people in leadership positions, there has been little consideration of why this happens. In this theoretical article, we explain why formal leadership roles—roles that are characterized by elevated expectations, high visibility, and high levels of responsibility—are fertile ground for impostorism experiences. We also discuss how the associated self-conscious emotions of shame and fear, can increase leaders’ risk-aversion and enhance leader role performance, yet at the same time drive emotional exhaustion, and reduce their motivation to lead. This can ultimately inhibit leaders from seeking, claiming, and thriving in leadership roles. We offer individual-, dyadic-, and organization-level contextual characteristics that can either enhance or reduce this phenomenon. We also discuss how supportive organizations can mitigate leadership impostorism. Furthermore, we highlight how women and minority-status leaders may be more vulnerable to this experience and conclude by suggesting the practical implications of the leader impostorism phenomenon for individuals and organizations.

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 600-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audrey Addi-Raccah

Purpose: This study focused on parents’ involvement in their children’s schools through participation in collective leadership roles. Based on Bourdieu’s approach the current analysis examined the link between parents’ types of resources, types of involvement in schools, and their influences over different school domains while comparing parents from two socioeconomic status (SES) levels (low/mid and high). Research Design: Participants comprised 624 parents from 21 randomly selected elementary schools, of which 10 were of low-/mid-SES and 11 high-SES schools. Data were collected by a questionnaire and analyzed based on multivariate analysis of variance and multi-group structural equation modeling approach. Findings: It was found that for holding leadership roles in schools, parents activate diverse education-related resources. Once gaining a formal leadership role parents may feel a legitimate right to influence schools, mainly on issues related to school management domains such as fundraising. Although, some differences occurred between high-SES and low-/mid-SES schools, there was a similarity regarding parents’ leadership roles that may benefit schools by bridging between the schools and their environment. Conclusions: As schools become more heterarchical, parent leadership may be able to play an increasingly significant role in facilitating the school principal’s work and fostering school improvement. Accordingly, school principals need to support and encourage parent leadership, particularly in low-SES schools. For that purpose, educators must be more attentive, accepting and value the resources of parents of low-SES schools.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (Winter) ◽  
pp. 192-195
Author(s):  
Jamie Storey

Despite women’s aspirations to obtain formal leadership positions within institutions of higher education in South Africa, they continue to face barriers that impede their ability to achieve senior management positions. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the meaning women ascribe to the experience of seeking formal leadership positions within the field of student affairs in South Africa.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alice Aruhe'eta Pollard

<p>This thesis stems from my own experience as an advocate for peace as well as a victim during the recent civil conflict that shocked Solomon Islands from 1998 to 2003. I had the opportunity to live and work under a leadership in crisis situation where law and order was absent, the economy collapsed and people and leaders were confused. Amidst the confusion, women took an active role in confronting the situation at its peak, a week after the 5th June 2000 coup, visiting the militants' camps around Honiara, helping victims of the conflict and voicing their concerns to leaders. This thesis is about gender and leadership. Many Solomon Islanders including myself are searching for solutions to ensure that history does not repeat itself and produce further discord. In doing so, finding new leadership models that would engage both genders and different leadership institutions working in partnership with each other at all levels is necessary. This thesis examines the presence and absence of women in three separate leadership spheres: the 'Are'Are society, the South Sea Evangelical Church and Parliamentary leadership. The three objectives are, to examine to what extent women exercise leadership in the three leadership spheres, to study the factors that contribute to women's limited access to formal leadership and to examine whether it is possible for women to make a difference if they are involved in the different leadership positions. The questions asked are: whether the roles women perform in both the private and public spheres and the formal and informal structures are leadership roles? Should their roles warrant them leadership positions within these three leadership spheres? Should their roles accord them the title "leader"? Are women satisfied with their current roles and position within the three leadership spheres? The research framework was based on my personal position as a knowledgeable insider. The methodologies used include focus group interviews, participant observation and face to face interviews with 41 leaders who hold or have held leadership positions in these three leadership spheres within Solomon Islands. Secondary information sources were also valuable. In this thesis, I argue that the issue of gender and leadership is critical for rethinking and redesigning the future direction of Solomon Islands as a nation state. It will be the key ingredient in reconstructing and rebuilding the new Solomon Islands. The rebuilding process will mean reclaiming women's leadership roles in the three spheres, providing training for women and men leaders, providing political awareness in the wider community and addressing corruption and malpractice in the political electoral process. Developing a strong, well-disciplined pool of women and men leaders within the three leadership spheres, in particular the formal and Parliamentary leadership is what Solomon Islands needs.</p>


Author(s):  
Joanne Rodger ◽  
Jennifer Branch-Mueller

This paper presents findings from a study of the experiences of six female teacher-librarians who are now in leadership positions as assistant principals and school/university consultants. These TL leaders were working as district consultants, assistant principals, and as a university teaching and learning consultant.  All TL leaders had classroom experience, teacher-librarianship experience, and had been teacher leaders in their schools. The TL leaders were using their unique skills and experiences to provide professional development and instructional leadership. More research is needed about how the experience of being a teacher-librarian shapes formal leadership roles.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alice Aruhe'eta Pollard

<p>This thesis stems from my own experience as an advocate for peace as well as a victim during the recent civil conflict that shocked Solomon Islands from 1998 to 2003. I had the opportunity to live and work under a leadership in crisis situation where law and order was absent, the economy collapsed and people and leaders were confused. Amidst the confusion, women took an active role in confronting the situation at its peak, a week after the 5th June 2000 coup, visiting the militants' camps around Honiara, helping victims of the conflict and voicing their concerns to leaders. This thesis is about gender and leadership. Many Solomon Islanders including myself are searching for solutions to ensure that history does not repeat itself and produce further discord. In doing so, finding new leadership models that would engage both genders and different leadership institutions working in partnership with each other at all levels is necessary. This thesis examines the presence and absence of women in three separate leadership spheres: the 'Are'Are society, the South Sea Evangelical Church and Parliamentary leadership. The three objectives are, to examine to what extent women exercise leadership in the three leadership spheres, to study the factors that contribute to women's limited access to formal leadership and to examine whether it is possible for women to make a difference if they are involved in the different leadership positions. The questions asked are: whether the roles women perform in both the private and public spheres and the formal and informal structures are leadership roles? Should their roles warrant them leadership positions within these three leadership spheres? Should their roles accord them the title "leader"? Are women satisfied with their current roles and position within the three leadership spheres? The research framework was based on my personal position as a knowledgeable insider. The methodologies used include focus group interviews, participant observation and face to face interviews with 41 leaders who hold or have held leadership positions in these three leadership spheres within Solomon Islands. Secondary information sources were also valuable. In this thesis, I argue that the issue of gender and leadership is critical for rethinking and redesigning the future direction of Solomon Islands as a nation state. It will be the key ingredient in reconstructing and rebuilding the new Solomon Islands. The rebuilding process will mean reclaiming women's leadership roles in the three spheres, providing training for women and men leaders, providing political awareness in the wider community and addressing corruption and malpractice in the political electoral process. Developing a strong, well-disciplined pool of women and men leaders within the three leadership spheres, in particular the formal and Parliamentary leadership is what Solomon Islands needs.</p>


2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-186
Author(s):  
Alexandra Shillingburg ◽  
Laura B Michaud ◽  
Rowena Schwartz ◽  
Jaime Anderson ◽  
David W Henry ◽  
...  

Gender disparity exists in leadership roles within healthcare. While the majority of the healthcare workforce is comprised of women, significantly fewer women occupy leadership positions, particularly at executive and board levels. As the field of oncology pharmacy continues to rapidly expand and evolve, an assessment of the current state of women in oncology pharmacy leadership roles is vital to the growth and development of the profession. In the fall of 2017, the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) hosted a summit to explore leadership issues facing women in oncology pharmacy which have the potential to affect our membership and our profession. This meeting included invited participants from across the fields of oncology and pharmacy and was part of HOPA’s strategic leadership initiative developed through the work of the HOPA Leadership Development Committee in 2016. This promotes a primary goal of HOPA, which is to support oncology pharmacists as they assume leadership roles within their practices and within healthcare to assure oncology pharmacy is integrated into cancer care. The purpose of this white paper is to (1) summarize key issues that were identified through a membership survey; (2) review ongoing efforts to address the needs of female oncology pharmacists in leadership development; (3) serve as a call to action for individuals and professional organizations to assist with and disseminate these efforts and highlight available resources, and (4) to provide practical steps to meet the needs of individuals, training programs, and institutions/employers.


Author(s):  
Lixia Qin ◽  
Mario Torres ◽  
Jean Madsen

International feminist perspectives recognize the continuing inequalities of power between men and women across all classes (Adler & Israeli, 1988; Alston, 2000; De la Rey, 2005). In China’s male-dominant society, for example, women often have been inhibited from pursuing leadership positions (Wiseman, Obiakor & Bakken, 2009). Further, women’s access to leadership positions is constrained within many social sectors (Cooke, 2005). In school settings, there is no doubt that women have greatly contributed to the changing practice of educational management in China since 1980s ( Zhong & Ehrich, 2010). However, despite recent changes, women are still vastly underrepresented in educational leadership positions due to a variety of reasons, such as their adherence to traditional gender roles (Coleman, Qiang & Li, 1998). One particular reason that has been drawing increasing attention across the world is the lack of appropriate training and guidance in young women’s leadership (Su, Adams & Miniberg, 2000; Cooke, 2003; Barnett, 2004; Chen, 2005). This paper probes in greater depth one of the most important, yet largely overlooked aspects in the educational leadership of China – women’s leadership roles in education and young women’s leadership preparation.


Author(s):  
Raj Mestry ◽  
Suraiya R Naicker

The increasing expectations of the principalship and the intensification of the challenges facing schools today have resulted in the emergence of distributive forms of leadership in schools worldwide. These developments prompted research in schools in South Africa, more specifically in the Soweto region, to inquire if distributed leadership had manifested. Soweto is a township in the Gauteng province of South Africa that is associated with the historic struggle against the apartheid government (pre-1994). A qualitative approach executed by means of focus group interviews was employed at three schools to explore the views of teachers who did not hold formal leadership positions. It was found that distributive leadership had not transpired in the schools that are largely rooted in classical leadership practices. This chapter provides an account of the study while elucidating the concept of distributive leadership and examines the role of formal leaders within a distributive leadership framework.


Author(s):  
Karen P. Burke ◽  
Lori E. Ciccomascolo

The lack of women in leadership roles is a systemic problem in the United States and is not unique to the field of education; however, it is important to continue to challenge the status quo and provide a path for women to achieve equality and equity in the workplace. The following chapter will identify and discuss the importance of mentoring and sponsorship so that women pursuing education careers, novice women teachers, and women college, and university faculty and staff can actively and better position themselves to move into leadership positions and/or ensure a “seat at the table” in situations where decisions are made that affect their personal and professional lives.


Author(s):  
Nermin Kişi

Although major steps have been taken to increase inclusive representation of women in the workforce, there is a significant gender gap in achieving leadership roles in both developed and developing regions. In particular, many women around the world face serious challenges that prevent them from moving to leadership positions. Women's empowerment approaches are needed in order to have equal access to resources, to participate in decision-making processes, and to support career advancement. Within this context, interim management strategies can be considered as one of the empowering opportunities for women leadership. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the role of interim management on women leaders' empowerment. This is the first attempt that evaluates the notion of interim management as part of empowerment of women's leadership. It is expected to add value to literature on women in leadership positions and corporate decision-making.


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