Breaking the “Glass Ceiling”: Narratives of Women at the Top

Women in leadership roles have continued to increase and thrive in unprecedented ways. However, research data suggests that gender inequality and unbalanced representation of women in leadership roles is still a significant social, cultural, and organizational issue. This study is a qualitative research on six (6) successful women executives in Siquijor, an island province in Central Visayas, Philippines. Narratives of their personal, professional and family background as well as the facilitating factors and characteristics that led to their success were gathered through case study method using observations, interviews and focused-group discussions. The study revealed that five (5) out of the six women respondents are married, having less than five children, and are second-born in the family. These executives are all licensed professionals, passers of government exams, and achievers in their own right. Furthermore, the women leaders are very competent and qualified in their jobs and possess positive self-concepts as women despite sad, frustrating and humiliating episodes in their lives. Lastly, these women executives share similar facilitating factors and characteristics proving that personal qualities and attitudes play a very important role for a person’s success.