Female Technology Leaders Overcome Barriers to Climb the US Industry Ladder

Abstract

Women represented 57% of the labor force, but only 20% in the technology industry (United States Labor Department Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2015). Therefore, we utilized narrative inquiry research design with feminism and gender role incongruity theories as theoretical frameworks to investigate five women's experiences becoming leaders of major technology organizations. We collected data from interviews and documents. Data analysis revealed four major themes: climb your ladder, know your worth, discover your career, and nurture your vision. The findings suggested that the primary barriers for women entering and staying in the technology field were removed by intrinsic motivation augmented by personal persistence, passion for learning, creativity, and efficiency. The female technology leaders in this study shared valuable, diverse leadership perspectives that may benefit male technology leaders. All participants exhibited an ability to nurture team members and organization goals using soft skills to ameliorate the rigid and fast-paced technology industry.