Abstract
Senior level young black professionals describe Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) as necessary and well-intentioned legislation providing them with the opportunity for inclusion in meaningful components of the economy, i.e., ownership and management control as black people. The history of B-BBEE abuse in the form of window-dressing practices means that while senior level young black professionals perceive being considered for higher levels of organisational leadership as a distinct personal and professional milestone, the accomplishment is marred by individuals who would question their knowledge, capabilities, and readiness for the roles for which they are being developed, often leading to internalised self-doubt, isolation, and diminished well-being. As part of the leadership role transition, the participants experience a myriad of significant interactions with senior leaders, peers, juniors, and clients that have unexpected mental, emotional, and spiritual impacts.
Aligned with the Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) paradigm linked with an interpretivist epistemological paradigm, a subjectivism ontology, and an exploratory design, the first phase of data collection was by means of in-depth one-on-one phenomenological interviews with ten purposively selected young black professionals selected to be part of a B-BBEE ownership-driven accelerated leadership develop programme. The data was analysed independently by the researcher applying an inductive coding approach to develop themes through data interpretation. This study demonstrated that the racial history of South Africa and varying perspectives on legislation brought about to redress past unfair work practices against previously disadvantaged black people influence the current business environment and the experiences of B-BBEE beneficiaries as they navigate leadership roles. Senior level black professionals have contradicting (positive and negative) experiences with senior leaders, peers, and junior colleagues, which either enhance or undermine their leadership development and successful transition to new roles.
Key terms: B-BBEE; B-BBEE in corporate; B-BBEE and leadership acceleration; experience of senior level young black professionals; Personal and Professional Leadership (PPL) perspective; phenomenological; qualitative research.