Though women make up 51.5 percent of all managers, fewer of them than men rise to the executive level. According to the Harvard Business Review, having a male sponsor helps level the playing field for women. These male champions have learned that gender inclusiveness means both men and women should advance women’s leadership. Plus, gender parity is associated with improved profitability.
Source: Harvard Business Review, December 7, 2016.
More specifically, we found that some of the key behavioral themes associated with gender inclusive leadership that support women’s career development are:
- using their authority to push workplace culture toward gender equality
- thinking of gender inclusiveness as part of effective talent coaching
- providing gender-aware mentoring and coaching
- practicing other-focused leadership, not self-focused leadership
INSIGHTS: Equality arguments aside, the likelihood that gender parity is associated with greater profitability ought to be enough to make this a front-burner policy direction.