Women in leadership continue to face significant barriers, from unconscious bias and the double bind to lack of support systems and systemic inequalities.
This article provides a stark reality check on these challenges, highlighting the ongoing struggle for gender equality in the workplace.
We’ve uncovered the current state of equality and the roadblocks women still face in their careers.
Women in Leadership: A Clear Backslide
Progress for women in leadership has been painfully slow. Twenty years ago, women made up 20% of senior management globally. Despite some improvement, by 2023, only 28% of CEOs in mid-sized companies were women.
However, 2024 saw a significant setback as top women leaders resigned from big corporations, dropping the number back to 19%.
This stark reality underscores the urgent need to dismantle the barriers that hold women back. In the US, although women constitute over half the workforce, they occupy only 30% of leadership positions.
At this rate, research predicts gender equality won't be achieved until 2227 – that's over two centuries from now!
The Decline of Women Leaders: Urgent Call for Change.
The Uphill Climb: Challenges Women Face on the Road to Leadership
The road to leadership for women isn't paved with roses, but it's paved with resilient women who are shattering obstacles.
However, significant hurdles persist:
The Pipeline Problem: The lack of women in senior and management roles creates a limited pool of qualified candidates for top positions. This can stem from a lack of promotion opportunities for women at lower levels.
Bias Against Women Leaders:
Unconscious Bias: Implicit biases can influence decision-makers to favor male candidates, hindering women's chances of promotion or access to resources.
Internalized Bias: Societal portrayals of powerful women can lead some women to believe wielding power is wrong or unfeminine, creating hesitation to pursue leadership roles.
The Double Bind: Women in power face a no-win situation. Assertive behavior might be seen as "bossy," while a more passive approach could be perceived as lacking leadership qualities.
Lack of Support Systems:
Mentorship and Sponsorship: Fewer opportunities for mentorship and sponsorship from senior leaders can limit women's access to crucial networks and support systems.
Work-Life Integration: Societal expectations and a lack of flexible work arrangements make it difficult for women to balance demanding careers with family responsibilities.
Confidence and Self-Promotion: Studies show women tend to underestimate their qualifications compared to men. This can make them less likely to actively seek leadership opportunities or confidently pursue promotions.
Systemic Barriers:
Unequal Pay Structures: Existing pay gaps can discourage women from pursuing leadership roles with potentially higher workloads.
Corporate Culture: Corporate cultures that haven't adapted to a diverse workforce can be unwelcoming to women leaders.
Lack of Role Models: The scarcity of women in leadership positions makes it harder for aspiring female leaders to find mentors and visualize themselves in those roles.
Beyond Climbing the Ladder: Further Challenges for Women in Power
Even after reaching leadership positions, women face unique challenges that can lead some to leave the very roles they've worked so hard to achieve.
The Price of Power: A recent wave of resignations from high-powered CEO positions by women highlights the ongoing struggles they face at the top.
When asked about their reasons for leaving, many women leaders cited:
Public Pressure and Scrutiny: The intense public pressure and harsher criticism women in leadership roles experience compared to their male counterparts can be relentless. This constant scrutiny can take a significant toll.
Caregiving Responsibilities: Women often continue to shoulder a disproportionate share of childcare and family responsibilities. The lack of adequate support systems and inflexible work arrangements can make it incredibly difficult to balance demanding leadership roles with these responsibilities, leading some women to choose family over career advancement. And choosing health and sanity over burnout.
Feeling Like an Imposter: Societal expectations can lead some women to feel they need to act in a more traditionally "masculine" way to succeed in leadership roles. This pressure to conform can be isolating and emotionally draining.
Feeling Isolated: The comparatively fewer women in leadership positions can further exacerbate these challenges. Women leaders may experience feelings of isolation and a lack of role models who understand their specific challenges.
We can't dismantle these challenges alone. Let's build a sisterhood of support for women leaders! Join online communities specifically for women executives, or start a local mentorship program to connect with other women who understand the unique pressures you face.
Together, we can create a leadership landscape where women thrive, not just survive.
Take the "Inner Game of Leadership Assessment" to uncover where you are on your leadership journey and gain clarity on the next steps to achieve the results you desire.
Welcome to the Women & Power, Money & Growth Workshop Series
On August 14th, Rúna Bouius will explore the dynamics of power in the workplace.
This workshop will challenge you to examine your perceptions of power and gender-specific barriers, providing strategies to navigate and reshape these dynamics.
Get ready—this event is set to be truly transformative. Please invite your friends, colleagues, clients, and any young woman you care about.
Register Here.
About the Author
Fractional Leadership Officer & Executive Coach
A visionary thought leader and activator, Rúna empowers future-focused leaders and their teams to thrive in a changing world. Leveraging her CEO and serial entrepreneur experience, she unlocks clients' potential for TruePower and conscious leadership through coaching and navigating shifting power dynamics in the workplace.
Founder of the True Power Institute, host of the TruePower Executive Roundtable, and co-founder of social impact initiatives, Rúna ignites possibilities for well-being and regeneration, inviting you on a journey towards a thriving world.
Rúna is a published author, including co-author of the international bestseller “The Successful Mind: Tools to Living a Purposeful, Productive, and Happy Life.”
Connect with her.
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