“To Be, or Not to Be, That Is the Question”: Decisions of Women in Leadership in Higher Education

Abstract

Deciding to pursue administrative roles in higher education presents a significant challenge for women, particularly motherscholars. While some make this decision swiftly, others navigate a complex web of personal values, family responsibilities, ambitions, and the sacrifices such roles often demand. This chapter explores how women engage with the workforce and approach leadership decisions, framed through the authors' personal perspectives. It examines the hesitation many women experience, the pivotal moments that lead to action, and the pursuit of authentic leadership as a means of initiating cultural change from within. The chapter concludes by offering strategies for reaching a sense of peace in leadership roles and presents recommendations for reducing institutional barriers through policy reform and shifts in organizational culture.