Why is there still scarcity of women in organizations?

Statistics say women graduate with more degrees. Statistics say, companies with women at the executive levels are more profitable, Statistics say, companies are taking steps to advance more women into leadership. So the question that remains is: why are the women still not here?

With high career aspirations and academic degrees on their sides, women are still nowhere near their male counterparts at workplaces. A McKinsey study reveals  nine out of ten, amongst the 60 surveyed CEOs, feel that it is extremely important to hunt and hire female talent. While competing in markets where women make most of the purchasing decisions, it is vital for the companies to have them on board.

Dominic Barton, McKinsey's global managing director, told The Wall Street Journal, “The only sustainable competitive advantage is talent. How could you not consider half the world's population?”

Yet, companies still have to spend extra money to persuade women to nominate themselves for promotions. The same report also says, “(these barriers) are deeply intertwined, making them even harder to eliminate than we had thought.” No role models, lack of sponsors, a reluctance to self-promote- is still holding them back. So essentially, it’s just women who are preventing themselves from getting ahead.

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There is still some hope in the other part of the globe. In India and China, women are advancing faster than ever. The Wall Street Journal reports, that 12% of the employees at executive levels at the 250 biggest companies are occupied by women.

Executives at high levels, suggest a “tool-kit” that would help the cause.

• Including 50% women in strategy meetings- from mid-levels as well and providing them opportunities to participate and give inputs.

• Holding senior managers accountable for gender diversity at all levels by setting goals for them.

• Helping clear up the stereotypes and clearing assumptions regarding how women are “supposed to behave.”

• Providing sponsorship for deserving women candidates, along with having senior leaders nominate names for development programmes.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: The Wall Street Journal

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304746604577381953238775784