"I Find that What I Do Is at Total Odds..." Holistic Wellness in a Woman Leader Working in a Male- dominated Engineering Profession

Claude Helene Mayer

doi:10.17583/generos.2016.1806

Abstract

To explore holistic wellness in depth, single, longitudinal case studies are needed. This article explores the holistic wellness of a woman leader in the male-dominated profession of Engineering, based on the holistic wellness model (HWM). The article focuses on the question of how holistic wellness is constructed by this outstanding individual working in the challenging Australian Engineering field.The study is grounded in Dilthey's modern hermeneutics and applies a single case study design using an in-depth interview, conversations on a regular basis and observation over a period of 18 months.Findings show that the woman leader, working in the male-dominated global Australian global Engineering profession, builds and bases her holistic wellness on life tasks (work and leisure, self-direction, spirituality, friendship and love) and life forces (family, religion, community and business and industry) which are part of the holistic wellness model. Life tasks and life forces support her as she tackles challenges in life, and provide her with the coping mechanisms she needs as a woman leader in Engineering.

Highlights

To explore holistic wellness in depth, single, longitudinal case studies are needed
Findings show that this woman leader, working in the male-dominated, global Australian Engineering profession, builds her holistic wellness on life tasks and life forces which are part of the holistic wellness model
This research aims to satisfy the need for a longitudinal, in-depth single case study on holistic wellness in a selected woman leader in the Engineering profession in an Australian Engineering organization that is a global player in the field

Summary

Introduction

This article explores the holistic wellness of a woman leader in the male-dominated profession of Engineering, based on the holistic wellness model (HWM) It focuses on the question of how holistic wellness is constructed by this extraordinary individual working in the challenging Australian Engineering field. The study is grounded in Dilthey's modern hermeneutics and applies a single case study design, using an in-depth interview, conversations on a regular basis and observation over a period of 18 months Findings show that this woman leader, working in the male-dominated, global Australian Engineering profession, builds her holistic wellness on life tasks (work and leisure, self-direction, spirituality, friendship and love) and life forces (family, religion, community and business and industry) which are part of the holistic wellness model. The question remains open: How do women leaders working in the Engineering profession stay well, whilst dealing with the complex challenges inherent to the profession?

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion