Invisible yet powerful: the unseen obstacles women leaders face in their hospitality careers

Abstract Women in the hospitality industry face many different challenges in advancing their careers. This study conducted in-depth interviews with fourteen women in hospitality leadership positions in the Southeastern U.S. and intended to reveal obstacles and best practices. The findings suggest that women's career advancement could be hindered by a lack of self-confidence or lack of careful career planning. With regard to work/life balance, there were mixed positive and negative impacts when the respondents were asked how work and life impact each other. In addition, some women leaders did experience stereotypes in the workplace. The professional images were sometimes misidentified at work and did not truly reflect their personal identities and competencies. Academic and practical implications are discussed in detail.