Why Do So Many Companies Lack Women Leaders?
From boardrooms to executive teams, women have long been underrepresented in leadership positions in the business world. Despite the fact that women have been playing an increasingly important role in the business world for a long time now, many companies still lack female leaders in positions of authority. Why is this? We’ll take a look at several key factors to see why there are still so few women visible at the top of companies.
The Gender Gap
The gender gap is arguably the most well documented factor in many industries, and this is especially true for the business world. The gender gap applies not just to salaries, but to roles and progressions in higher ranking positions as well. A recent study found that out of the 7,000+ companies in the United States, 73% of them have fewer than 5% of their total managerial roles occupied by female workers. This gender gap applies to executive positions as well, with only 4.3% of women making it to the highest levels of company management.
The Glass Ceiling
The phrase “glass ceiling” is often used to describe the invisible barrier preventing women from reaching high ranking positions in companies due to systemic gender bias. This is most often a result of corporate gender norms entrenched in the system and male-dominated staff: in many cases, the most senior positions in companies are awarded to the most senior male candidates, regardless of the candidates’ actual skills and competencies. This has been found to be especially true in male-dominated industries, such as those in the technology, finance and engineering sectors.
Lack of Mentoring
When it comes to climbing the corporate ladder, having a good mentor is essential. Unfortunately, women are far less likely to be mentored: cited studies have found that female employees make up only 17% of mentors. Female mentors are even more rare, accounting for just 8% of total mentors. This lack of mentors actively blocks women from gaining the skills, contacts and knowledge needed to reach higher roles in businesses. This is further compounded by the fact that many mentors are male, which can create an uncomfortable power dynamic.
Lack of Encouragement
Studies have found that companies which lack women in leadership positions also often lack corporate encouragement for women to aim for those positions. Often, it is seen as “too much trouble” to recruit women and train them up to take on senior roles. This can be a direct result of the glass ceiling and lack of mentors, but can also be caused by a lack of direct encouragement by senior management and the HR department. As a result, women are less likely to take the initiative to progress within a company.
Stereotypes
Stereotypes of women often play a role in why so many companies lack female leaders. This can manifest itself in both subtle and overt ways — for example, women may be discouraged from taking on managerial roles by the idea that they are unsuited to them, while other candidates may be favored due to the perception that they are better suited to leadership. Social pressures can also cause women to take on “nurturing” or “supportive” roles within a company, instead of those at the highest levels.
The problems of the gender gap and lack of female leaders in the business world are complex and far reaching. To properly address these issues, companies and organizations must recognize the factors that are preventing women from taking on higher roles, and take active steps to encourage and promote female leadership. We must all do our part to maintain a work environment in which everyone is able to reach their potential, regardless of gender, race or any other factor.
