INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE Understanding the journeys to leadership of women currently working in turfgrass can inform recruitment efforts seeking to involve women who may have a predisposition to find work in turfgrass interesting and rewarding . Despite their diverse backgrounds , women interviewed in this study had similar childhood upbringings and influences on their career choices . Women described their childhoods as involving time spent outdoors through farming , playing sports , and engaging in other outdoor activities such as hiking , hunting or fishing . These activities were noted to stimulate choices to work in an outdoor , hands-on environment later in life . Additionally , all of the women placed emphasis on the importance of education in their journeys to leadership . Twelve of the interviewed women hold degrees in turfgrass or closely related fields . Women felt this education was essential to their ability to garner respect and grow within the industry .
Women also expressed their leadership styles were key components to successful professional development . The most common self-identified leadership style among participants was open leadership . This leadership style encompasses hands-on leaders and emphasizes communication , relationship building and teaching . Female
leaders with this style described the importance of working alongside their crews in order to prove themselves and build connections . Women felt fostering relationships with their crew members allowed them to better communicate why tasks were important , which was noted to empower employees through education . Participants in this study believed their leadership styles differed from those common to male counterparts primarily due to their focus on the emotional aspects of leadership such as keeping staff happy . Female leaders engaging in open leadership experienced positive responses from employees , and felt this leadership style aided in their leadership success .
Although women in leadership roles in turfgrass were generally positive about their experiences working in the industry , women cited many challenges to their success and happiness . Challenges fit into three main sub-themes including building a family , experiencing sexual harassment , and overcoming stereotypes . For example , women described their disappointment in being mistaken for someone ’ s wife or an hourly crew member rather than the field manager . Additionally , women expressed their discomfort in being pursued romantically at conferences , at work and on social media . Women were hopeful sharing these experiences would provide comfort to other women in similar situations and bring light to the need for change in the current industry culture .
Study participants indicated females working in turfgrass and the industry itself can take steps to improve the experience for current and future women . Women can create space for themselves in the industry
10 SportsField Management | May 2021 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com