Bold aspiring leaders reshaping what it is to lead: interpretative phenomenological analysis of midcareer leadership reflections in the new decade.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/D20409201

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological study was to uncover the mean-making of midcareer professionals as they aspire to leadership roles in the Baltimore-Washington DC region. Specifically, it sought how mid-career professionals reflect upon their various decisions and choices made overtime as they navigate their aspirations for leadership roles. For the purposes of this research, midcareer professionals were identified as professionals functioning in leadership positions for at least (3) years. Leadership positions include titles with the word assistant: Assistant Principal, Assistant Dean, Assistant Director, Assistant Manager, etc. These settings can include, but are not limited to public education, non-profit, business, and/or, government.Utilizing IPA, the four themes that emerged included lived experiences, relationships, significant leadership skill lessons, and career pivots. The findings of the study, with a snowball sampling of 10 participants, indicated that 1. Critical reflection shapes the way midcareer professionals make meaning of their journeys to leadership roles, 2. Lived experiences are the foundation that shapes the views and perceptions on leadership roles for midcareer professionals, 3. Relationships are pivotal to midcareer professionals and help them navigate their journey to leadership roles, 4. Lessons about leadership skills to embody or avoid, drawn from the experiences of self and/or others, shape how midcareer professionals aspire to be as leaders, and 5. Career pivots are inevitable and a midcareer professionals' journey to leadership is not linear.--Author's abstract