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ABSTRACT
This research revealed the interactions between the Kuwaiti culture, gender, and leadership from the perspective of five Kuwaiti female leaders. Within a qualitative design approach and narrative inquiry methodology, the researcher interviewed five Kuwaiti females who shared their stories of their personal and professional experiences about the interactions between culture, gender, and leadership. The analysis and interpretation of this research uncovered two key findings: 1) the influence of Kuwaiti culture on female leadership and 2) the commitment of these female leaders to have a positive impact on their culture. The development of female leadership within Kuwait represented a collaborative effort by all the country's female leaders. As this research showed, these female leaders took advantage of every opportunity to prove their capabilities as leaders who deserve to serve effectively beside male leaders. The research data included some recommendations that could provide significant support for the development of female leaders, not only in the State of Kuwait, but also in other countries that could benefit from such progress. In addition, this project included some implications for further research studies focused on issues related to the interactions between female leadership and cultural influences.
Keywords: Female leadership, Kuwait, culture influence, gender role, leader, Middle East, narrative inquiry
INTRODUCTION
ver time, the concept of leadership has developed independently based on various research theories. In addition, Donald, Dale, and Sonya (2006) have suggested that effective leadership involves aspects such as self-awareness, organization of ongoing communication and reinforcement, a shared future vision, and some motivating action. Furthermore, leaders themselves, during this period, characterized various leadership styles in the respect that each leader had his or her own style that worked, each attained the organization's goals, and each satisfied the workers (Manning & Haddock, 1989). Having an effective leadership style during this time meant leaders identified their goals and the organization's objectives, demonstrated productivity, provided open communication channels, and designed appropriate performance criteria that fit with the time, funding, quantity, and quality of the specified goals (1989).
The research literature discussed leadership as it relates to style and behaviors. For example, the literature suggested that particular behaviors leaders exhibit are effective in motivating those who report to them. Smith (2006) argued that leadership influences followers' thinking, attitudes, and behaviors....