There seems to be a lot of press lately about how women are under-represented in the higher levels of organizations. As a white man (maybe too white, I'm rather pasty, especially in the winter) I am the majority. Through no fault of mine or anybody else, I am part of the group that all minorities are compared to. I am definitely not an expert on being discriminated against. That being said, I believe that improving diversity in the workplace is the responsibility of the people who lead organizations and the members of minority groups.
As far as I know, white men do not sit in some secret room drinking scotch and smoking cigars while trying to figure out how to keep minorities, including women, from progressing in their respective organizations. However there are a few truths out there that everyone needs to recognize about organizations.
Women can do pretty much anything men can do. There are a couple of jobs that women should not be doing, cleaning the men's locker room at the gym while the facility is open comes to mind. Beyond that, I can't think of anything. Most men may find some jobs that require a lot of physical strength easier than most women bu that doesn't mean that women can do it.
To move forward in an organization you have to make a positive difference. To do this anyone has to make tough decisions, take ownership of your area of responsibility, and be consistent. It's not easy. It means you have to put in the time and do what's right for the organization not for you or the people around you.
Make sure you want the job you seek for the right reasons. If you want a job for the prestige or money, chances are you will not do a great job. You may be adequate but if you want to move ahead you need to excel. Pick a job or path that means something to you. You need to be in a position where the job is the reward, that will help lead to success.
You have to look the part. It matters no matter who you are but really matters if you are a woman. I'll admit its easier for men, when in doubt wear a suit. Women should also be sharply dressed. I'm not suggesting that you should be wearing short skirts and plunging necklines. However, I see a lot of women wearing the wrong clothes for their environment. you should dress in clothes that reflect your personality while projecting a professional image. Don't be afraid to look good but remember you can look good and look the part at the same time.
You have to sound like the part. This is crucial. There is an old saying that it is better to remain quiet and have people think you are dumb than to open your mouth and remove all doubt. Since you have to communicate to make a difference and excel then you better be communicating and you better be intelligent when you speak. Personally when someone sounds dumb in a meeting and doesn't get the point it doesn't matter if they are a man or a woman, they are simply not making the grade. You need to be prepared when you may be called upon for input. You need to choose the right words. It's hard. both men and women fall down all the time at this. If you do not perform to the expected level, you need to use that as a learning experience and be better next time.
I know some very successful women. One quality that they all share is they are strong. They all have physical strength and mental strength. I think for most people, physical strength helps with mental strength. Ultimately, you have to be strong to be successful. You have to be able to deal with difficult situations. You have to be able to manage stress, and you have to make difficult decisions in a timely manner. It doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman, if you don't do this, you can't be successful.
So, why are there not more women in the highest levels of organizations?
I'm not sure. I'm sure there is some self-selection. Women still often take the traditional role of caregiver and take the maternity leave and leave work early to deal with sick children. This admirable but if anyone is often away from the organization, they are not contributing as much as they could. This will count against you. Some women may reach a certain level of success and choose to remain there so they can fulfill the caregiver role. There is nothing wrong with that but it does limit how many women will rise to the top.
To reach the highest levels of an organization you have to sacrifice a lot away from work. It doesn't matter if you are a man or a woman. It may be as simple that more men are willing to make those sacrifices. It's filled with long days, work travel, the dreaded work BlackBerry, and a perpetually unbalanced life. There are a lot of people who are not willing to live that life. There seems to be more men than women who will take it on but there are not a lot of men either. It's hard.
There are a lot of reasons that more men rise to the top ranks of organizations. Some of them may not be the right reasons. It's lonely at the top and maybe more men are willing to be lonely. I really don't know. What I do know is if you have the ability to do the job and are willing to make the sacrifices, I think anyone can make it, but it won't be easy.
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