Abstract
M.Phil.
The purpose of this research was to answer the following question: Can PPL
(personal and professional leadership) in any way provides an explanation for
what happens in the life of an expatriate woman and can it contribute to the
reconstruction of the life of a woman living in an expatriate situation?
In order to answer the research question, the research was divided into two
distinguishable parts. In the first part an examination of the loss of identity the
expatriate woman experiences was discussed within the context of the PPL
(personal and professional leadership) leadership model. The conclusion
reached was that the expatriate woman is left vulnerable and disorientated
because of the absence of essential and familiar leadership levels, and her own
culture and country. Familiar roles and own identity need to be reshaped.
In the second part of the research the rebuilding of a new identity was discussed
within the context of the PPL (personal- and professional leadership) dimensional
model. This model was explored for its potential in assisting the expatriate
woman to understand fundamental dimensions in need of being developed in
order to find a sense of purpose, meaning and hope in this time of change. The
conclusion was that the PPL dimensional model can be successfully utilised in
rebuilding the identity. The importance of this model lies in its fundamental belief that human beings are primarily spiritual beings and that this dimension is the
source of the need to serve others, to contribute, to "matter", to make a
difference and to have a sense of meaning and purpose.
This research was concluding to introduce a PPL leadership model within the
context of country and culture with a final conclusion that PPL can both assist in
understanding what happened to the expatriate woman and in providing a tool for
assisting and planning the identity rebuilding process.
This was an auto-ethnographic study.