One persistent argument heard in discussions regarding gender diversity is the supposed difficulty of finding women with relevant experience for leadership positions.
Yet, data from S&P Global’s Corporate Sustainability Assessment challenges this.
The research states that while women still hold fewer board positions than men, women are bringing more relevant industry experiences to the table.
In fact, across 16 of 25 industry groups analyzed, women board members outpaced their male counterparts in terms of relevant experience.
Relevant experience, in this case, was defined as practical work at another company in the same industry, whether as an employee or within an executive role, or in academia, consulting, research, etc. The definition did not include sitting on another board in the same industry.
So, why the disparity between women and men board members?
There are multiple factors. One may be that fewer women hold revenue-generating roles, experience often valued by boards, although chief human resources officers, positions more often held by women, have been appointed to corporate boards more frequently in recent years. Another, highlighted by S&P Global, may be that the bar is set higher for women to achieve the same career results as men, and they need to show up with more experience to get a foot in the door.
What is clear is this: Qualified, experienced women are leading important functions and have the expertise to bring high value to corporate governance. Our belief is that a culture that embraces women leading and succeeding is best poised for success.
Source: https://lnkd.in/ecgt4xCJ
#Inforum #SeeWhatsPossible #GetThereFaster #Leadership #Statistics #WomenLeaders #LeadershipEquality #BoardDiversity