Conceptualization of Calling: A Grounded Theory Exploration of CCCU Women Leaders

Abstract

This grounded theory study provides a conceptualization of the role of calling in women's leadership development based on semistructured interviews with 16 female leaders in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. Centered in the participants knowing and using their unique talents and strengths, which were often viewed as being clues to God's plan for their lives, the participants conceptualized calling along two dimensions: internal-external and specific-general. Internal-external refers to sources of validation from which women experienced confirmation for their giftedness. Specific-general refers to whether calling was viewed as pointing to a well-defined task or was a generalized way of being, incorporating a sense of purpose or direction. Coding of participant interviews into dominant themes revealed aspects of each dimension, with participants’ awareness of calling being enlarged or potentially constricted based on four contextual factors: theological influences, family realities, cultural expectations, and life circumstances. This article connects existing research about calling, leadership, and motivation, and provides a model that emerged from the current research that contributes to the literature about women's leadership development.