Transformativt ledarskap i mansdominerade branscher: Kvinnliga ledares beskrivningar av sina ledarskapsstrategier

Sammanfattning

Female leadership within male-dominated industries has historically been characterized byspecific expectations and structural conditions. This study aims to deepen the understandingof how female leaders in these sectors describe their leadership and how strategies they usecan be understood in relation to transformational leadership theory. Through qualitativeinterviews, the study provides insight into how leadership is practiced within this specificorganizational context. The findings indicate that leadership is primarily expressed throughrelational work, clarity, trust and presence. Transformational leadership emerges not as aconsciously adopted ideal, but as a practical and context-dependent approach to dailyoperations. When the results are related to transformational leadership theory, bothcorrelations and distinctions appear. While all four dimensions are identified within thedescriptions from the women leaders, they are expressed through distinct practicalapplications. Individualized consideration and inspirational motivation appear more directlythrough focus on personal affirmation and close dialogue. In contrast, idealized influence andintellectual stimulation take form through structures and methods leaders implement toestablish stability and foster independent thinking. The study further highlights theimportance of balancing structure and relational practices for establishing legitimacy in thestudied context.