Abstract
Purpose. The first purpose of this study was to identify and describe both the barriers and facilitating conditions of participatory decision making among women community college presidents in Southern California. The second purpose of this study was to identify and describe how women community college presidents validate or demonstrate the literature-based characteristics of feminine leadership. Methodology. Twelve women community college presidents within the California Community Colleges system were interviewed. Responses from the interviews provided qualitative data. The interview questions were designed specifically to address the literature-based variables described in the findings. Findings. Findings from this study revealed that women are now a majority of college graduates and a growing share of the talent available for leadership. Findings further supported that the presence of feminine characteristics and style of leadership have brought significant knowledge and influence to institutions of higher learning. The prevailing factors of a participative leadership style are consistent with the following literature-based variables: direct communication, low control, consensus building, collaboration, information and skill sharing, and being team oriented in a nonhierarchical work environment. Conclusions. For women to change the historically "male-only" pattern of leadership in education, the following major contributing factors must be present: (a) a high value placed on the quality of relationships based on cooperation, sharing and caring, nurturing, and intimacy; (b) empathy and equality; (c) valuing and including diversity; (d) participative decision making; (e) low control with open communication and analytic listening; (f) empowerment and authority to others; (g) innovativeness, with the introduction of something new—an idea, method, or device; and (h) mentorship. Recommendations. Future studies should include (a) a replication of this study with a larger sample of women community college presidents, (b) continued research on feminine leadership styles and characteristics within community colleges and other workplaces, (c) the different behaviors of women and men when communicating, and (d) barriers that women face when seeking promotions to the presidency within the community college sector.