Women Sing, Women Lead: The Transformation of Identity and Emergence of Leadership in Women Through Voice (will open as pdf)

Kay Kleinerman

This qualitative study explores the connection between participation in singing and the development of leadership qualities in women. "Voice" is discussed as a metaphor for both leadership and personal leadership development, as is the issue of how female voices are dismissed and/or suppressed.

The theoretical framework upon which this exploration is based is transformative learning. Singing can be a transformative learning process that enables a shift away from limiting perspectives and toward developing leadership qualities in women via experiential learning, learning within relationship, public performance, and the inner journey of reflection and subsequent understanding that leads to individuation. Three themes emerged from this study that characterize the personal growth and development that participation in singing can foster: Commitment; Connection; and Congruence.