To obtain more information about the characteristics, work patterns, and career paths of women in middle management roles, this study collected structured interview data from 45 managerial women in business and education. During summer 1987, each student in the Women and Careers class at Texas Woman's University interviewed two female managers, one in business and the other in education. Interviews consisted of 25 open-ended questions focusing on career goals, career and life planning, factors motivating movement into management, leadership styles and philosophy, employee motivation techniques, effect of career on marital status, sexual harassment, office politics, dressing for success, childhood heroes, involvement in team sports, and advice to share with beginning female managers. Results showed that the managerial women (1) had been in management positions for 5 to 10 years, have college degrees, are married, and are the eldest children in their families; (2) did not establish life or career goals until later in life; (3) would like to have attended college earlier, taken business and finance courses, and regarded their education more seriously; (4) have promoted teamwork and commitment through motivation techniques, goal orientation, fairness, delegation, and participative decisionmaking; (5) had fathers or mentors who greatly influenced their leadership styles; (6) moved into management to obtain higher salaries, be change agents, and meet new challenges; (7) motivate employees by using praise, consensus, and advancement; (8) were assertive, but not necessarily risk-takers; (9) said they advanced as a result of experience, a good education, high visibility, teamwork, and goal-setting. (MLH)