Relational Leadership: An Analysis of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood

Abstract

The problem and the solution. The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells describes the remarkable leadership and guidance that women provided their families and friends long before they were leaders in organizations.According to Popper and Mayseless (2003), parents, like transformational leaders, build trust with their children. Parents help guide their children to be autonomous, empowering them to believe and trust in themselves. Thus, parents take on the role of leaders; their characteristics and behaviors illustrate a wide variety of leadership theories, such as leader-member exchange and transformational leadership. Set in 20th-century Louisiana, Wells's (1999) The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood presents an explanation of the relentless support, trust, respect, loyalty, charisma, inspiration, stimulation, and consideration that make women leaders in their personal and professional spheres.