Feminist organizational research on women in leadership positions has largely focused on women managers, and their terms in male dominated work environments. The gender structuring in these organizations correspond with the gender order in society with male domination on positions of power and the majority of women in positions with less power. This study explores how the majority position affects women leaders workplace experiences and sense of belongingness in organizations. It also examines how women managers negotiate meanings of gender and leadership when they find themselves in majority at positions of power. Results suggest that the majority position opens up various ways of challenging and transforming prevailing male constructions of leadership. The managers do not have to relate to pre existing notions of leadership. Women constitute the norm in the organization in the sense that it is the things they do at work that constitutes leadership. They enjoy having power to shape the organization and they are constructed as competent managers. Moreover, they do not perceive themselves as part of a gendered category as managers. At the same time however, women’s subordination in gender power relations in society affects the social constructions of gender identity. Men in the organization are highly valued and the women managers strive to increase their numbers.
QC 20111213