8 Steps To Dissolving The Glass Ceiling
Susan Bloch
In most countries today, there are many more women in the workplace than there were twenty or even ten years ago. But walk into any corporate office and you will probably see far more men than women on the executive floor.
This is confirmed in the 2010 Women Matter report by McKinsey, which asserts that women are still underrepresented in boards of corporations. "Although the majority of leaders, both men and women now recognize gender diversity as a performance driver, actual implementation of gender-diversity measures in corporations remains limited."
Barriers to Advancement
Women often share many complaints as to why they do not get to the top: exclusion from informal networks; stereotyping; lack of mentoring; shortage of role models; commitment to personal or family responsibilities; or lack of accountability on the part of senior leadership. Many CEOs acknowledge these obstacles, but in many cases, are not convinced of their significance. Right or wrong, they put substantially more weight on women's leadership style and their lack of skills and operational experience to reach senior levels.
While success stories like that of Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo, the first Indian woman to head a Fortune 500 company, stand out, a vast reservoir of female talent has still not realized its potential. But waiting for the world and business mindset to change so that many more women can rise to leadership roles, is not the answer. Take note of strong female dominance across the globe in areas such as microfinance. I argue that it is women themselves who need to bring about this change by shifting to a more "can do " approach.
Many of those who have reached the executive level, have shared how they got there:
8 Steps To Dissolving The Glass Ceiling
1. It Is Up To You
Be absolutely clear about your career ambitions and share them with both your managers and your Human Resources (HR) department. Focus clearly on your goals and objectives to get to where you want to go. Mark milestones and time lines to stay focused and on track.
2. Competence
If you want to be considered competent for very senior management, you need to genuinely understand, rather than simply digest, the balance sheet and business model.
Conceptual thinking and strategic acuity are also competencies that will get you to the very top. Examine your worldview: global insights give you a real edge if you can apply this knowledge when strategizing for the company.
Continue to enhance your interpersonal skills. Ask HR or a coach to organize 360 degree feedback to help you understand the impact you have on others.
3. Promote Yourself
Develop a focused elevator speech so that people are clear as to your current projects, and the progress made. Share successes, but do not brag. The latter could actually damage, rather than enhance, your reputation.
Cultural differences are quite distinct when you are in New York, Bangkok or Nairobi. Take the time to learn what communication works best in different regions and cities, and try to shape your promotion style to meet your environment.
4. Network
Stay in touch with people wherever they are. It is easy to use Skype, send text messages and exchange emails. But again, consider the culture in which you are working. For example, phone calls are often seen as obtrusive in the West, but commonplace in Asia. Gender interactions will also vary from country to country, so as a female, be careful not to be seen as coming over "too strong".
When you leave one role or company and move to another, make a dedicated effort to stay in touch with ex colleagues, bosses, customers and vendors. Your next promotion might well come from their positive references.
5. Learn Another Language
English is no longer the dominant language in the corporate corridors of power across the world. Learning another language – even when working in an English-speaking country – will enhance any relationships you build with team members, customers, vendors and government officials that might also speak that language.
6. Work-Life Balance
Get as much support at home as you can. If you live in a country where you can affordably tap into the brilliant resource that is "home help", do so. If not, build and then draw on other support networks like friends, family, car-pooling options and online grocery shopping – to make your life easier.
Your health and energy levels are important: make time to both get fit and to clear your mind, at least a few times each week. Learn to manage your time in a focused and measured way, to achieve greater work-life balance and satisfaction.
7. Keep Moving
Do not get too comfortable. Keep looking for jobs in different functions to broaden your general management experience.
Work and travel abroad when possible. It is a great educational experience for all family members to have the opportunity to learn about different cultures and countries. Plus, if you have a good job to go to abroad, it could be great for your career.
8. Deliver Results
Hold yourself accountable to deliver above and beyond your Key Result Areas (KRA's) or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and primary job responsibilities.
To get to the top, you usually need to stand out. What are you doing to stand out?
Victim or Leader?
Women who are waiting for companies to treat them differently or hopeful that special diversity programs will get them into management positions are likely to become invisible.
Do not be one of the many exceptional female employees who languish in middle management and eventually leave in frustration.
Remember, "if it's to be, it's up to you".
The only person who will really get you to the top, is you.
Susan Bloch is an international management coach and the co-author of The Global You (http://www.globalyou.co.uk), published by Marshall Cavendish.
Between Susan and her co-author Philip Whiteley (a journalist and author on management), they have worked in numerous countries in five continents.
This is their third book. |
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| January 2011 |
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