Transformative engaging leadership: Portraits of women leaders in Malawi with implications for leadership development

Responding to the limited literature available on women and leadership in the African context, this study, explored and described leadership development and experiences of women in Malawi. The study provides an understanding of strategies they employ to move beyond historical barriers to exercise leadership. The study also explores what has contributed to the effectiveness of these leaders and how they view their roles and their significance in the society. Using portraiture methodology the study celebrates the experiences of women leaders in Malawi. The study presents the setting, giving the geographical location, and historicizing the cultural, social and economic context of Malawi. Understanding the contextual information is necessary for the reader to get a visual and sensory idea of where the participants live and lead; it helps the reader to understand the conditions under which these women exercise their leadership.;The results of the study show that African spirituality and resiliency is what defines the character of the leaders, which inspires them to serve the community and organizations they lead and bring transformational change. The results reveal that the Malawian women leaders enact a unique approach to leadership that is holistic and contextually relevant; I dubbed it transformative engaging leadership. The transformative engaging leadership approach is an interaction of African spirituality and resiliency, which forms the inner character of the individual, that results in servant and transformational leadership behaviors. In other words, while theoretically distinct, these elements are synthesized in the leadership praxis of these women. Transformative engaging leadership is a type of change leadership, aimed at bringing about transformation within their spheres of influence.;The results of the study have several implications for theory and practice. Key to the theoretical implications is that there is need for more studies on women leaders in various cultural contexts. Practically leadership development in Malawi should focus on women and girls at various age levels and multiple sectors. Beside there is need to develop effective networking groups designed to encourage and support young women leaders. Governments and organizations have a role to play in providing leadership training opportunities to its employees.