Closing the Gender Gap: Empowering female leaders to take their seat at the table

International Women’s Day reminds organisations to celebrate the progress that women have made in the leadership world. However, we need to acknowledge that there is still a significant gender gap in various industries. Even though women have proven themselves to be just as capable as men, they are still underrepresented in leadership positions.

Gender inequality is an issue that has been prevalent for centuries, especially in leadership. Women have faced numerous challenges to attain leadership roles and achieve the same level of recognition as their male counterparts. But today we know that diversity brings strength.

Addressing unconscious bias

Research has shown that gender-diverse teams perform better than homogeneous teams. This is because diverse teams bring different perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, leading to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. By giving women a seat at the table, organisations can tap into the unique skills and qualities that women bring, such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and a collaborative approach. These qualities are critical in today's ever-changing leadership landscape, where adaptability and resilience are key. In order to close the gender gap and ensure that women have a seat at the table, organisations first need to acknowledge the root causes of this disparity. One of the main factors is unconscious bias.

Studies have shown that companies with more women in leadership positions outperform those without gender diversity. This is because women bring different approaches to problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making. They also tend to be more focused on long-term goals and building sustainable organisations. By overlooking women for leadership roles, organisations are missing out on a significant competitive advantage.

Promoting gender diversity

Another factor is the lack of female role models and mentors in leadership. When women do not see other women in leadership positions, they may believe that they are not capable of achieving those roles themselves. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where women are less likely to apply for leadership roles or take risks in their careers. Ultimately, giving women a seat at the table is not just the right thing to do – it is also useful for organisations. Studies have shown that organisations with more women in leadership positions tend to be more profitable and have higher employee satisfaction ratings – and by tapping into the full potential of the workforce, these organisations can create a more successful and sustainable working environment.

It is important for organisations to actively promote gender diversity and create an inclusive culture where women feel valued and supported. This means implementing policies that support women's career development, such as flexible working arrangements, mentoring, and sponsorship. Moreover, organisations need to hold themselves accountable. They need to track and measure progress towards achieving gender diversity targets and be transparent about their results.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we need to remember that there is still much work to be done in order to achieve gender equality in the workplace. By acknowledging the root causes of the gender gap, and by taking action to address them, we can create a more inclusive and effective workplace. At Acumen, we pride ourselves in offering training and development that gives managers practical tools to help solve real-life challenges. We offer an extensive menu of courses, workshops, and coaching programmes, ranging from communication skills to executive leadership development. In most cases, we design the interventions specifically for each client, but we also offer a wide range of off-the-shelf programmes for those who prefer this approach. For more information about our programmes please contact Simon at simon@askacumen.com.