Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative case-study was to understand how successful female elementary Educational administrators from Indiana defined their roles in order to obtain personal and professional balance. Specifically, this study identified successful female leaders and the strategies, talents, and skills that they use. This study also sought to provide insight into self-efficacy used by successful female leaders as a personal resource. As a result of this study, common themes were discovered. When life is out of balance, conflict, stress, and unhappiness occur (Goodchild, 2006). The utilization of helpful strategies, talents, and skills by participants in this study adds predictability for current and future female leaders. Pless (2006) explained that what is balanced for one person might be way off-balance for another—everyones needs are different” (p. 39). Although each persons needs were different, common themes prevailed throughout this study. This study will hopefully help current and future leaders to determine their own personal and professional balance. The following research questions framed the interviews with successful female elementary principals: How do successful women in Educational leadership positions effectively balance the demands of their personal and professional lives? Sub-questions included the following: 1. What do successful female leaders consider as personal and professional balance? 2. What strategies influence how successful female leaders find balance in their personal and professional lives? 3. What talents/skills do successful female leaders possess that support balance in their personal and professional lives? 4. Do successful female leaders use self-efficacy as a personal resource to support balance in their personal and professional lives? 5. How do successful female leaders persist and succeed when confronted with difficult and competing challenges in their personal and professional lives? A case study methodology was chosen to provide an in-depth study of five current female elementary principals who were also wives/partners and mothers to more than one child living at home. A variety of demographic data were collected about the participants from both their personal and professional lives. The main focus was on the interview process and the key findings from the interviews. Ultimately, the themes found in this case study allow for an expansion of the knowledge base of female elementary Educational administrators as well as to provide a means of understanding, informing, and improving practice” (Merriam, 1988, p. 6) in the realm of personal and professional balance. Major themes and subthemes were identified as a result of the study. Primary themes included (a) utilizing self-efficacy for personal and professional balance, (b) exercising strategies for personal and professional balance, (c) applying support from others for personal and professional balance, and (d) appropriating time for personal and professional balance. The primary theme of utilizing self-efficacy included the subtheme of knowing ones self and ones needs for personal and professional balance. The primary theme of exercising strategies included the subthemes of (a) the use of prioritization for personal and professional balance, and (b) the use of tools such as calendars and lists for personal and professional balance. The primary theme of applying support from others included the subtheme of support of a spouse (husband) for personal and professional balance. The primary theme of appropriating time included the subtheme of using specific or designated times for personal and professional balance.

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