Four Important Challenges that will Reshape the Future of Leadership

There is no doubt that we are stronger when we each lend our voices. As I sat on the stage at Break the Ceiling, Touch the Sky?, a summit for gender equality held here in New York, my fellow panelists were urging women to speak up more in meetings, to raise their hands and jump into the fray. It’s a hesitancy I had to overcome early in my own career, and I readily identified with the audience members who were still struggling to find their own voices. Time and again throughout the event I felt that same sense of connection and shared aspiration as a room full of successful women questioned and challenged each other to reach new heights in their careers without losing their sense of self. It reminded me that leadership is ultimately both a personal pursuit and a communal journey––and we’re stronger when we recognize that we’re all in it together.

That sense of community was evident again just last week, as the Bureau Veritas family joined thousands of companies around the globe celebrating the 118th International Women’s Day and its call for gender equality. Our global campaign, #BalanceforBetter, served as a reminder of the need for change and as a way to champion the women we work with every day.

I’m proud to be part of an inclusive company that celebrates women’s achievements and embraces our shared responsibility for creating a more gender-balanced world.

Finding that balance will require ongoing commitment, and continued conversation. Women have made tremendous gains that sometimes mask the significant gaps that still exist. The percentage of women in senior roles is declining globally, and now hovers just below 25%––the same percentage of companies that have zero women in senior roles. In the U.S., where women are a majority of the population and earn a majority of bachelor’s and master’s degrees, they still lag substantially behind men in the most prestigious leadership roles within their chosen professions.

And yet, despite these persistent gaps, I see reasons for optimism.

As corporations become less hierarchical and new generations join the workforce with fresh expectations about equal opportunity, some of the long-held myths surrounding what it takes to be a leader are starting to unravel.

In their place, new beliefs are emerging that can encourage gender-balanced participation and inclusiveness at all levels.  We explored many of these perceptions and realities at Break the Ceiling, Touch the Sky, and four themes in particular resonated with me as I reflected on the opportunities we have to reshape the future of leadership. 

1. We don't need giant personalities to transform companies. This is one of my favorite points from Susan Cain’s book, Quiet. We’re all familiar with the stereotype of the bold, charismatic leader who commands every situation with outspoken confidence. People who jump into animated group conversations are considered influential problem-solvers, while those who sit quietly on the sidelines are viewed as lacking power and passion. More often than not, it’s women who are on those sidelines. Studies have repeatedly shown that women speak up less in meetings and are interrupted more by others who criticize or disagree with them[1]. But the truth is that not all of the best ideas come from the loudest voices.

My conversations with women at Break the Ceiling, Touch the Sky reinforced that leadership takes many forms and there are numerous avenues to find your own voice and express yourself. I can attest that quieter voices are finding their way into the conversation and succeeding in leadership roles. 

As companies expand the idea of inclusiveness to account for different work styles and communication patterns, the myth that every leader must be an extrovert is finally starting to fade.

2. We can trade the "work/life balance" myth for a new sense of focus. This myth may be the most pervasive and damaging idea that holds women back from pursuing leadership roles, or causes them to abandon those roles once they’ve earned them. I have yet to meet a woman who is confident she has achieved perfect “work-life balance” (or anything close). On any given day, leaders feel they are shortchanging one area of their lives in favor of another area. Many of the women I spoke with at Break the Ceiling, Touch the Sky shared how the pressure to "have it all"––and the feeling that they were continually falling short––increased their stress levels and made them question “the price to pay” for leadership. If I could tell women suffering from this angst one thing, it would be:

There is no balance; the real task is to learn to manage the imbalance.

All we can do is be focused and fully present in whatever we are doing in the moment, and then be ready and able to move to the next moment with just as much focus––even if it means consoling your child over their first heartbreak, then walking in and presenting to a board of directors moments later.

3. We can be authentic and successful at the same time. There’s a limiting belief that you have to leave your true self behind to step into a leadership role. I would argue that is the last thing a leader should do! Not only is authenticity absolutely vital to inspiring others, but the act of being a leader is helping us clarify and strengthen our core values as we grow into the best version of ourselves. That's why, when I was asked at the summit where I see myself in five years, my answer wasn't limited by a specific position or job goal.

I want to focus on excelling in what I'm doing now, keep raising the bar every day, and find out where being my best authentic self leads me.

It’s a virtuous cycle: Leaders have a unique vantage point from which to communicate their values and help others feel confident enough to do the same and bring their own best selves forward. As younger generations bring more inclusive norms into the workplace and companies continue broadening their understanding of diversity and inclusion, they are creating cultures where no one has to check who they really are at the office door, and leaders can stay grounded while reaching for new heights.

4. We can replace hierarchy with community. It’s true that as a CEO, the number of people I can speak openly with about plans that impact the company’s financial future is quite limited––and rightfully so. I also know that hierarchy tends to create a corporate echo chamber in which people only tell you what they think you want to hear. But sometimes leaders build walls of their own making, creating the illusion that loneliness is a necessary trade-off for anyone with career aspirations. If anything, I believe that leadership increases the ability to connect with people on more layers and through more avenues than ever. That's one of the reasons I found so much value in the panel discussion in New York. Leaders can benefit from seeking out others’ insights, opinions, and voices.

As companies continue to flatten and new workers challenge the old hierarchies, I think we’ll see a shift from a corporate mindset to a more inclusive community mindset.

Hierarchy will be replaced with humility and compassion. Rather than locking themselves away in an ivory tower, leaders can choose to be a vital part of this thriving community. I feel very fortunate to work for leaders that are creating a workplace where all voices are heard, valued, and respected.

It’s through inclusion that we can be stronger together, more competitive organizations, and deliver on our promise to our clients and communities.

It’s hard to touch the ceiling if you’re afraid to raise your hand. I'm grateful for events like Break the Ceiling, Touch the Sky that strengthen our sense of community and remind us that though our paths may be different, we share many of the same challenges and celebrations. I'm equally thankful, and incredibly proud, to be part of the Bureau Veritas community and its commitment to inclusion and diversity. As the world moves to less hierarchical, more egalitarian company structures, we have the opportunity to change the way we think about leadership and rebalance the gender equation. I look forward to a day when we don’t have “ceilings” to break through, but are instead able to look up at the same sky and see the goals we are aiming for together.

[1] https://www.wsj.com/articles/women-strive-to-narrow-a-confidence-gap-1521465138