The reflective life story method utilized in this study
entailed a commitment to record in a journal weekly
reflections on strengths, weaknesses, and successes
across three periods of the authors’ academic leadership
careers over the course of one academic semester (four
and one-half months). Reflections were recorded on
earliest memories of opportunities to lead and the
development of leadership perspectives and styles; midcareer
experiences and leadership assumptions; and,
finally, more recent leadership experiences as senior,
seasoned administrators. Each journal entry was based
on memories of individual life courses and on key events
that shaped career trajectories. Monthly meetings were
held to collectively review and analyze the writings.
Emergent themes were probed and discussed in these
meetings, which took place over almost a year.