Examining the role of women in leadership in a large South African financial services organisation.
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Date
2019
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the role of women in leadership in a large South African financial services organisation. Across the world, it has been found that men continue to hold more leadership positions than females. Women remain invisible particularly in decision-making positions while men continue to dominate as they are viewed as decisive, straight forward, and demanding, and thus, are strong and focused as compared to women who are characteristically compassionate. The study was focused on a large South African financial services organisation which cannot be named for confidentiality reasons. The population of the study was defined as all employees in the case study institutions. A total of 15 participants were selected for in-depth interviews. These ranged from executives, senior managers, junior managers and non-managers employees. Participants were selected purposively so as to generate an in-depth understanding of the issues under investigation. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Thematic data analysis was used in the study. Data is summarised according to the themes that emerged in the study. The study found that there were numerous challenges that constrained females that wanted to ascend to leadership positions in the case study financial services institution. These challenges ranged from personal and organisational to traditional challenges. It was found that one of the challenges often experienced by females when they were undergoing coaching was the inability to balance their work and their personal lives as mothers, wives, and so forth. Thus, in most cases, females were forced to prioritise their families at the expense of their careers and their ambitions to be successful leaders. Organisational factors that hampered the ascendency of women to leadership included the general preference of men because they can always be available at work. Participants also reported the problematic role of culture in restricting women. These challenges extended into both personal and organisational challenges. This speaks to the rules, regulations, norms, culture and values that are found to be unified towards the visions of the organisations. The challenges emerge both from patriarchal as well as organisational cultures practices by the institution. The study also established the benefits and opportunities that are available for women who want to ascend to leadership positions. These included coaching, feedback, mentoring, to sponsorship, and networking. Participants believed that there were many benefits which the bank would enjoy by the promotion of women to leadership positions. Participants highlighted the various generic qualities of women, namely; gentleness, sensitivity, empathy, caring, sweetness, tolerance, deference and affection, and many others, as important for organisational leadership. This study contributes to knowledge on gender-based leadership and female empowerment into leadership positions within the financial services industry within South Africa.
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Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.