6.3 DISCLOSURE The investigation into the experiences of female HoDs in universities in South Africa and
the UK reveals that:
• institutional and other barriers to women’s advancement to senior management
positions still exist • there seem to be fewer constraints to becoming a HoD than there are to advancing
from HoD to more senior positions • contrary to what is generally assumed, women do not lack aspiration to senior
management roles
• the HoD is a decision maker not an entrepreneur
• the HoD does not have to be skilled in all areas of her job as she can perform
some tasks and functions through other skilled personnel in the department by
delegating responsibilities to, and sharing authority with them
• the challenges and demands experienced by the HoD in her job may be a source
of stress and tension
• the female HoD is not only a good and empathetic listener but she is also a
professional person who strives to lead by example and who values integrity and
persistence
• women academic leaders tend to exhibit the desired ‘interactive leadership’ style
(Daft 2005) found in women leaders of corporate organisations.