Transcript for Research document- AAG

ABSTRACTAccording to identity theory, gender is an ever – present, highly visible, and salient identity, modifying and interacting with other identities (Gloor et al., 2023). Generally, leadership studies are mostly approached using quantitative approaches, which in many cases only supported established gender differences instead of identifying their personal narratives. This empirical research was aiming to address this gap by examining personal leadership experiences through in-depth interviews in various industries such as IT, HR, and Education. Thematic analysis with deductive approach identified global themes such as leadership development and journeys, gendered barriers and experiences, leadership strategies and challenges, workplace dynamics and organizational impact, and leadership styles and future directions. The themes inclined towards role congruity theory and social role theory debunking stringent gendered expectations of leadership styles. Based on the study results, future implications for sustainable leadership aspects such as gender – free leadership assessments, mentorship schemes were suggested to promote an inclusive leadership culture. Keywords: Gendered leadership, leadership motivation, organizational barriers, leadership styles, work-life balance, mentorship, workplace diversity, career progression