<p> African Americans are underrepresented in senior leadership positions of the Federal Government. As of 2009, African Americans occupied less than seven percent of senior pay level positions (EOEC, 2009). Kohli, Gans, and Hairston (2011) projected that African American representation in senior leadership positions will remain stagnant over the next decade. Thirteen GS-13 to GS-15 federal government managers participated in this qualitative phenomenological study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the lived experiences of federal government managers. Moustakas’ modified van Kaam method and NVivo10 software was used to analyze transcribed participant interviews. The results from the study indicate the need for mentoring relationships and agency-sponsored training programs to prepare African Americans for senior leadership positions. Based on lived experiences, participants indicated that effective communication was essential for obtaining and sustaining senior leadership positions. Findings from the study also indicate that mobility is a major concern for African Americans who aspire to achieve senior leadership status. Federal government leaders in general schedule leadership positions are the major hiring candidate pool for senior leadership positions (EOEC, 2009). Information from this study may assist African Americans in advancing to federal senior leadership positions.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3716656 |
| Date | 15 September 2015 |
| Creators | Bell, Jennifer |
| Publisher | University of Phoenix |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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