We’ve seen a paradigm shift in what leadership looks like, it’s no longer exclusive of women. So why is there still such a large gender gap in corporate leadership?
Women currently make up 5.3% of Fortune 1000 CEO positions, as seen on the list compiled by Catalyst, a non-profit organization focused on women in business. Corporate leadership still lags drastically when it comes to female participation, even in strongly female-oriented industries like retail and fashion. The numbers only deteriorate when it comes to technology. In Forbes’ list of 13 powerful Tech CEOS of 2014, there is exactly one woman.
Changes We’ve Seen
Historically, women took on supporting roles while men held positions of leadership. Men were doctors, women were nurses. Men fought wars, while women sewed their uniforms. Men ran board meetings, women took notes for them. Men were leaders who, for a long time, were measured by their ability to control, regulate and wield power over others. With our history, it was near impossible for women to ‘lead’ by this definition. But all that has changed, and we now want leaders that are inclusive and transparent – characteristics that are generally associated with a ‘feminine’ style of leadership. It’s become far easier for women to be accepted as leaders, now that we’ve broadened our understanding of what a good leader is.
Why is the gap still so wide?
With this new definition of leadership, the numbers should reflect a much bigger change toward gender equality. Gail Tolbert, VP of People Development at LogFire, suggests the reason for the disparity is simple: fear. Too often, men and women are afraid
of what partnership and equal collaboration look like. Men hesitate to share the positions of leadership they’ve long since held, and women hesitate to be the minority in the room. Tolbert argues that if we can begin to intentionally remove fear of ‘the other’
from the mindsets of young employees, it will change the way they approach each other in the company. A great place to do this is in a mentor-mentee relationship.
Fear Itself
Tolbert offers the old saying, “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” Being the only woman in a room full of men can be daunting, yes. Having a woman lead you can be a big change if you’ve never experienced it, true. But being afraid is what creates barriers and exclusion. If we can be unafraid of sharing the table with people who think differently from us, it might truly revolutionize leadership.
Men and women working together need to keep this in mind. Let’s not forget that we are working towards the same goal; although we may have a different perspective about addressing a problem. Instead of undermining each other and making a person feel insecure, let’s bring our strengths and weaknesses together and accomplish what would be successful for us all.