Research

This book highlights and discusses the emergence of new business leaders on the highest executive level from different groups that were not as apparent in the lists of Chief Executives until recently. One of these groups that are discussed in the book is women, and how they were able to now lead some of the biggest corporations on earth. The book includes two chapters that analyze in details the recent emergence of women CEOs for Fortune 500 companies, as well as examining the reasons and conditions that allowed for this recent change in business leadership. Furthermore, the author discusses the future of women in business leadership based on current events and following the efforts of women leaders. In addition, the book touches on several topics related to Centered Leadership Model (CLM), specifically ‘engaging’ and ‘connecting’. Moreover, the author argues that most of the female CEOs in the biggest companies in the world were hired as insiders, meaning they worked their way up the corporate world within the same company and proved themselves to the point where they were appointed. According to the author, this ability of proving one’s worth and challenging the stigma surrounding women in business leadership positions stems from self-confidence and effective leadership, which are parts of the CLM. For the intended research, this book would contribute to background information as well as real life examples for women in the highest leadership positions in business. Furthermore, for the character of choice in the research, Lubna Olayan, this resource can be used to compare, connect and evaluate Olayan’s journey and vision as a woman CEO based on the analysis in the book and alongside the CLM. Finally, Olayan started as an employee and climbed the corporate ladder in the company, which is a scenario highlighted in the book and hence the book can be used to reflect on that aspect of Olayan’s life.

Fry, E. (2015, September 14). This CEO is helping Saudi women break a gender barrier. Fortune. Retrieved from http://fortune.com/2015/09/14/lubna-olayan-saudi-arabia/

In this online article, the author provides an overview of Lubna Olayan’s personal and professional journeys in the business world, and how she became the first female to work in one of the biggest financial corporation in the conservative country of Saudi Arabia. The article provides background information on Olayan’s early years of education and professional career, from her early days in Olayan Financing Co. until she became CEO in 2001. Furthermore, the article highlights Olayan’s vision and efforts throughout her career and provide statistical data reflecting the outcomes of her efforts in empowering Saudi women and involving them more in the workforce. In addition, the article discusses Olayan’s personality and work ethics in terms of leadership and how her personal traits coupled with great ambition helped her to rise to power in an environment that did not welcome women in business. Moreover, the article documents how Olayan was able to mentor and guide many women leaders and integrate them into the OFC conglomerate. This resource provides supportive points in many aspects to be covered in the research, ranging from background information on Olayan herself, to information related to women in leadership and women empowerment. Furthermore, the article covers all aspects of CLM with examples of how Olayan capitalized on these aspects in order to impact and drive her personal achievements and in turn inspire others. Therefore, the article’s content can be used when discussing how Olayan optimized the CLM in order to achieve her personal goals and excelled in a corporate leadership position. Finally, the article highlights several important development phases in Olayan’s uprising and early career days such as personal growth and the eagerness to learn and perfect business skills. These developmental aspects mentioned in the article can be used in the research and connect them to the CLM in order to better understand and demonstrate the impact of Olayan’s leadership.