What is it like to have an experience of power? Guided by Edmund Husserls phenomenology, this book provides a unique look into the phenomenon of power. While the literature offers a wealth of information about power from the historical, political and sociological realms, relatively no research detailing the lived experience of power for women exists. Given the ubiquitous nature of power, this descriptive phenomenological study sought to understand the experience of power for women in formal leadership positions through the Chief Academic Officer position in womens colleges and universities in the United States. With women holding leadership positions all over the world, this study is significant and compelling because it brings practitioners and scholars more than a definition of power-it makes explicit the meaning of power for women. A must read for all human resource development professionals, academicians, organizational leaders, administrators, and managers. The essence of power is articulated through rich details, which illustrate the embedded complexity of power. The nuances will captivate you and draw you into reflecting upon your own embodied experience of power.

Stephanine Dustrud holds a PhD from the University of Minnesota with a specialization in Human Resource Development. Her keen interest in knowledge derived from experience and understanding power led her to conduct this phenomenological study. She has taught and advised undergraduate and graduate students and adult learners spanning 20 years.