Table 2. Themes, definitions and... | Emerald Publishing

Table 2.

Themes, definitions and quotation examples

Theme	Description	Example quotes
Theme 1: tension manifestations	Depiction of the different ways participants experience agentic and communal tensions	“I had that tension for a long time in terms of how can you be authentic; be yourself; and be a good leader”
Theme 2: influencers of agentic and communal tensions	Captures the contextual elements influencing the presence of tensions
Subtheme 2.1: organisational influences	The influence the organisational environment has on how women experience tensions	“When you’ve got a particular type of personality and so forth that bring that culture, I think that’s where you have either more or less of that tension”
Subtheme 2.2: feedback influences	The influence the feedback given by managers and peers has on how women experience tensions	“I think it was the directness of the feedback, it was very specific and you couldn’t be ambivalent about what it required”
Theme 3: individual capabilities	Explores the capabilities that women have enabling them to manage tensions
Subtheme 3.1: authenticity	In being authentic, women are better able to avoid the pressures of the tensions	“I am learning to also balance that in a way that shows that I am authentic and I am consistent”
Subtheme 3.2: awareness	Being aware of the self and the environment enables women to understand how best to respond to tensions	“I think it is important to be aware, self-awareness for me it is really important because it is the beginning in correcting any behaviour or make an improvement”
Theme 4: tension managing strategies	Reviews two approaches women use to address and deal with tensions
Subtheme 4.1: paradox adaptation	Women adapt accordingly to tensions depending on the context to balance tensions	“It’s around adaptability and needing to be adaptable as a leader to survive. To be successful as a leader you’ve got to be able to adapt … to certain situations”
Subtheme 4.2: creation of conducive environment	Women seek to reduce the tensions by creating an environment that is conducive for them	“Another way I am trying to manage that tension … is trying to implement almost a culture of feedback”

Theme	Description	Example quotes
Theme 1: tension manifestations	Depiction of the different ways participants experience agentic and communal tensions	“I had that tension for a long time in terms of how can you be authentic; be yourself; and be a good leader”
Theme 2: influencers of agentic and communal tensions	Captures the contextual elements influencing the presence of tensions
Subtheme 2.1: organisational influences	The influence the organisational environment has on how women experience tensions	“When you’ve got a particular type of personality and so forth that bring that culture, I think that’s where you have either more or less of that tension”
Subtheme 2.2: feedback influences	The influence the feedback given by managers and peers has on how women experience tensions	“I think it was the directness of the feedback, it was very specific and you couldn’t be ambivalent about what it required”
Theme 3: individual capabilities	Explores the capabilities that women have enabling them to manage tensions
Subtheme 3.1: authenticity	In being authentic, women are better able to avoid the pressures of the tensions	“I am learning to also balance that in a way that shows that I am authentic and I am consistent”
Subtheme 3.2: awareness	Being aware of the self and the environment enables women to understand how best to respond to tensions	“I think it is important to be aware, self-awareness for me it is really important because it is the beginning in correcting any behaviour or make an improvement”
Theme 4: tension managing strategies	Reviews two approaches women use to address and deal with tensions
Subtheme 4.1: paradox adaptation	Women adapt accordingly to tensions depending on the context to balance tensions	“It’s around adaptability and needing to be adaptable as a leader to survive. To be successful as a leader you’ve got to be able to adapt … to certain situations”
Subtheme 4.2: creation of conducive environment	Women seek to reduce the tensions by creating an environment that is conducive for them	“Another way I am trying to manage that tension … is trying to implement almost a culture of feedback”