Women's Models of Leadership in the Child Care Sector

Abstract

This paper will argue that women's ability to speak about their particular style of leadership has been muted by the dominant notions of leadership and management that emerge from traditionally organised settings. Feminist work such as that of Belenky et al. (1986) has been adapted and used to demonstrate that women's frameworks are more often based on principles of care, connection, and dialogue. Through our work in children's services leadership training, we are finding that women are developing their own perspectives, models, and language on leadership—a paradigm we are naming as ‘leadership wisdoms’. The wisdom framework is introduced and discussed as a potential springboard for further research and professional development of individuals and the profession. This paper aims to stimulate readers to further reflection and the development of a personal leadership model appropriate to their context.