TITLE:
Mentorship and Experiential Learning in Semiconductor Leadership Development: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study of Leadership Development in Semiconductor Manufacturing Organizations
AUTHORS:
Ganesh Dindukurthi
KEYWORDS:
Leadership Development, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Mentorship, Experiential Learning, Coaching and Feedback, Communication, Organizational Culture, Transformational Leadership
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Leadership,
Vol.15 No.4,
November
12,
2026
ABSTRACT: This qualitative phenomenological study explored how leadership skills are developed within semiconductor manufacturing organizations. Grounded in Transformational Leadership Theory, the study examined how professionals described mentorship, experiential learning, coaching and feedback, communication, and organizational culture as part of their leadership growth. Semi-structured interviews with 10 semiconductor professionals were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings showed that leadership development occurred less through isolated training events and more through practical workplace experience, mentor guidance, coaching conversations, feedback loops, communication practice, and supportive culture. Mentorship helped participants observe leadership, reflect on difficult situations, and build confidence in their own leadership identity. Experiential learning was described as the strongest source of growth because it required leaders to apply judgment in real work situations involving people, technical pressure, customers, and cross-functional decisions. Coaching and feedback helped participants adjust behavior over time, while communication emerged as essential for listening, framing messages, resolving conflict, and making decisions. Organizational culture either supported or limited development depending on trust, flexibility, psychological safety, and leadership commitment. The study contributes a practical model for semiconductor organizations by showing that effective leadership development requires structured support around real work, not formal training alone.