While times are changing on a global scale, women unfortunately still lag behind men in terms of success and leadership. As of 2017, men still outnumber women in leadership positions 10 to one, in spite of the progress reported that women in leadership roles are growing.
Unfortunately, one burden women face is that they are underrepresented in industries poised for growth (such as enginerring, technology, architecture, and mathematics), while being overrepresented in roles threatened by automation (such as office and administrative positions).
Companies with female leaders perform better
According to Business Insider, companies with female leaders perform better. In a study on gender diversity, it was found that there is a positive correlation between the presence of women in corporate leadership and performance “in a magnitude that is not small.”
But despite the findings of this study and many others, the growth of female leaders in corporate America is glacial.
Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer at Facebook, told USA Today in 2014:
"Endless data show that diverse teams make better decisions. We are building products that people with very diverse backgrounds use, and I think we all want our company makeup to reflect the makeup of the people who use our products.”
Why we need more women as leaders
Women build relationships and networks. According to a study cited by Forbes, women have “executive social skills”--their brains pick up nuances of posture and gesture which allow them to read more complex emotions and hear slight changes in intonation. Because of this, women are generally adept at cultivating relationships.
Women are problem-solvers. The same study found that women tend to gather details differently than men, allowing them to weigh more variables while making decisions and consider more options. Women are also more likely than men to integrate team contributions and solicit the advice of multiple, diverse people.
Women pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. According to a study by Zenger Folkman, women show more effectiveness at executive levels of organizations where pursuing opportunities for growth is significant. Women also outperformed men when it came to taking initiative, driving results, and encouraging change.
What’s next
Unfortunately for women, breaking ground in leadership is still an uphill climb. Unlike male executive stereotypes with sportscars and golf outings, female leaders are more likely to be found grabbing an extra energy boost than they are driving a sport car such asFord Mustang. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing considering 5 Hour Energy shot is only about $2.48 compared to a brand new car.
