Cultivating Responsibility: Setting the Scene for New Conversations

Welcome to the inaugural edition of "Cultivating Responsibility", where we will explore the powerful intersection of leadership, communication and values. I’m Betty Kie?, and during my journey through the business world, I’ve become deeply passionate about advocating for women’s empowerment and ethical leadership.

This newsletter isn’t just another corporate update; it’s a call to action. We’re here to talk about what really matters - responsibility, empowerment, and the courage to make a difference. These aren’t just abstract concepts; they are the values that guide us every day as we strive to create a meaningful impact in our industry and beyond. My hope is that this newsletter will inspire you, challenge you, and, most importantly, engage you in a conversation that can lead to real change.

Why "Cultivating Responsibility"?

The title "Cultivating Responsibility" was chosen because it perfectly encapsulates what I believe to be at the heart of true leadership: a commitment to nurturing values that go beyond the bottom line. In today’s fast-paced world, where the pressure to perform can sometimes overshadow our principles, it’s more important than ever to stay grounded in what truly matters.

For me, responsibility is about making choices that reflect our commitment to others -whether it’s supporting a colleague, making ethical decisions, or simply leading by example. It’s about understanding that our actions have a ripple effect and striving to make that impact as positive as possible.

But let's ground this in some real-world context. Consider this: In the 100 largest family-owned companies in Germany, 87% of the executives are male, and the majority were born in 1969. Moreover, 81% of them received their education in West Germany, highlighting a significant lack of diversity[1]. Despite years of debate and efforts to promote diversity, this statistic highlights the persistent homogeneity in leadership positions. When I see data like this, I ask myself: How do we truly and sustainably foster a more inclusive culture?

It is not just about meeting quotas or ticking boxes; it's about a fundamental shift in how we approach leadership and inclusion. Achieving this requires the involvement of all societal actors, including the transparency with which corporations communicate their efforts, values and goals.

Empowering Women in Business

Empowering women in business is not just a passion of mine – it’s a mission. Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges women face in climbing the corporate ladder, and I’m determined to contribute to changing that narrative.

Empowerment is about more than just giving women a seat at the table; it’s about ensuring they have the confidence, support, and resources to speak up and make their voices heard. It’s about fostering a culture where women are not just participants but leaders – driving innovation, shaping strategies, and mentoring the next generation.

To give you an idea of the scale of the challenge: In Germany, the percentage of women in executive roles is still remarkably low, particularly in family-owned businesses. As of March 2024, women make up only 12.6% of the executive boards in the 100 largest family-owned companies, compared to 19% in companies listed on the DAX, MDAX, and SDAX[2]. While these numbers have shown slight improvement over the past two years, they underscore the significant work that remains to be done to achieve true gender parity in leadership.

Setting the Stage for What’s to Come

This is just the beginning of our journey together. In upcoming editions of "Cultivating Responsibility", we’ll talk about resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of values in entrepreneurship and communication. We’ll explore how to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape while staying true to our values, and how to inspire others to do the same.

But this newsletter is not just about my perspective – it’s about creating a dialogue. I want to hear your thoughts, your experiences, and your ideas. Together, we can build a network of engaged, thoughtful leaders who are committed to making a difference.

Thank you for being part of this community. I’m excited to share this journey with you and look forward to the conversations we’ll have along the way. Stay tuned for more insights and updates in our next edition.

All the best,

Betty

?#Leadership #Empowerment #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenInBusiness #EthicalLeadership

[1] AllBright Stiftung gGmbH. (2024). AllBright Bericht Mai 2024: Generationswechsel als Chance – Familienunternehmen auf dem Weg zu gemischter Führung. AllBright Stiftung, Berlin. Abgerufen von www.allbright-stiftung.de.

[2] AllBright Stiftung gGmbH. (2024). AllBright Bericht Mai 2024: Generationswechsel als Chance – Familienunternehmen auf dem Weg zu gemischter Führung. AllBright Stiftung, Berlin. Abgerufen von www.allbright-stiftung.de.