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Work-Life Balance
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Close in on (your) leadership gap
By Evelyn Barahona
Photo left- Evelyn Barahona
Numerous figures across the nation seem to denote a high rise of academic success among its female pupils vs. their male counterparts. The evidence, however, becomes less promising once those very females enter the work force.
According to Conde Nast's April issue of Portfolio Intelligence, the number of female corporate officers at Fortune 500 firms has consistently dropped in the last three years. In the boardroom, only 14.8 percent of women hold board seats at 500 Fortune firms vs. 85.2 percent of their male equivalents. This begs the question: What can be done to lessen this gap?
Here's a quick review of the rise and fall of the most notable female executives reported in the media to push this subject forward into a quick analysis and, then, a conclusion on how you - as a current leader or future leader - can avoid the pitfalls of this trend.
Think of this piece as an encouraging reminder of how you got to the top and as a guide on how you can stay there.
Beginning with some of the most well-known women whose careers were followed in public view, here are some names for your consideration:
• Zoe Cruz, co-president of Morgan Stanley, fired in 2007 for the mortgage crisis while CEO John Mack, responsible for her forceful departure, remains there.
• Carly Fiorina, who took over Hewlett-Packard in 1999 right before the tech bubble bust and, although changes were pushed, culturally never saw eye to eye with the executive teams at HP. By 2005, she was shown the door.
• Last, all her story needs are two words: Martha Stewart.
All of these successful women were dealt with a scrutinizing eye on career moves that led to their executive troubles.
Here are some things to keep in mind while climbing the corporate ladder.1. Have mentors. Men, women, parents or even your golden retriever - you need them to maintain your sanity and keep you grounded. Male mentors will bring you the-other-side perspective that you can't get otherwise. Women mentors will bring you insightful knowledge only a woman can give you from firsthand experience. This is key in your onward movement to the top. As for your parents and your dog, you always need unconditional support.2. Maintaining your ‘Feminine Mystique.' Don't dismiss your natural given talents, such as relationship building and communication skills. These are the very skills that corporations prize and, therefore, should be tailored to your business needs, not ignored.3. Networking. It's critical to building allies both within and outside your given network. This is a great way to educate yourself on different areas of your life without stepping into a classroom. No one ever got promoted into positions by keeping their head down and not interacting.4. Good sense of self. Know what makes you tick - it'll make it easier to deal with the challenges or obstacles thrown in your way if you know where your strengths and weaknesses reside. Take the Myers-Brigg test or talk to friends.
Last, don't forget to listen to your gut - find your courage and know when to turn to it. Remember, you have the inner Xena to fight the good fight.
About the Author: Originally from California, Evelyn Barahona came to Boston to study International Business and Finance at Northeastern University. While in school, she also attended ESC Reims (CESEM)- an international management school in France.
Favorite Books: Atlas Shrugged, Profiles of the Female Genius and Tipping Point
Heroes: Maternal great grandmother, paternal grandmother, Leonardo Da Vinci, Winston Churchill, and Muhammad Ali
Evelyn Barahona
View this article as published in the Boston Herald: Boston Herald Business Today |
There are numerous stories written regarding the lack of female leaders in business. Many of the growing concerns are focused on the dwindling number of female executives, specifically in the role of chief executive officer.Copyright © WTCB- Women Taking Care of Business, Inc. ® All Rights Reserved See Terms of Use for this website |