TURNING HORSEPOWER INTO GIRL POWER - A study of how women utilize leadership skills learned at the stable

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to explore how equestrian experience influence women in leading and management positions in organizational settings. As well as studying if leadership training at a young age at the stable be linked to how women navigate their careers. Theory: The theoretical framework for this study is based on the following theoretical concepts. Firstly “doing gender” is used to show how gender is rather undone at the stable, secondly the “undoing” of gender gives rise to agency that helps women challenge gender stereotypes and overcome stereotype threat. Lastly social navigation is used to show how women navigate their careers by defying the female stereotype. Method: The study has been conducted by using qualitative research design with semi-structured in-depth interviews. Result: Results confirm that the process of undoing gender, previously studied by (Forsberg, 2012) happens at stable where girls shed the typical female stereotype that display communal leadership behaviour and take on a role as the “horse girl” The “horse girl” stereotype is empowering and encourages taking the lead and being direct in a way that creates self-efficiency and a sense of competence, which are trait typically associated as male characteristics. By having agency identity safety is created and can in turn be a tool when defying stereotype threats as well as navigating career wise. Girls in the stable come in contact with leadership as well as the art of navigation at an early age and this study shows that the skills are brought forth in to their careers.