It is time for women ! (continuation ...)
Gérald Karsenti
Ancien PDG ou VP de grands groupes tech (SAP, HP, HPE, Capgemini, Oracle, IBM), Professeur HEC, co animateur Radio Classique, coach, conférencier et partner senior advisor Qualium Investissement
This was the title of a post from me published in November 21, 2016. I would deeply encourage you all to go and see it. A year and a half later, it is still valid. More than ever indeed ! Post Gérald Karsenti November 2016
This was also the title of the last chapter of my last book "Leaders of the third type" (sorry only published in French so far).
Hereafter my last interview on the subject, published in Challenge (In French as well). Please click below on the link to access the text:
L'engagement de SAP et de SAP France dans la mixité
I am convinced for a long time on my side. It is time to let women take the right and important jobs. In fact they are taking them ! They are not waiting anymore. They are not waiting men ! I mean us ... men.
Everywhere young and talented women are emerging and are more an more visible. For the best of everyone.
First, the society is now ready to see women emerging and in competition with men for the best jobs in companies, states or institutions. This was a point of my post of November 2016.
Then, we have enough évidence to demonstrate that gendre balance means simply more performance in any organisation. Annual studies from McKinsey are pretty clear on the subject.
Both women and men complement each other perfectly because their qualities, without being diametrically brought into conflict, are in fact very complementary. Women have a relationship with money and power that is specific to them. They certainly have an ego but they can manage it differently. And certainly more intelligently.
Lastly, some people are arguing that women are less comfortable than men to take touch decisions. People thinking this are making a serious mistake. In reality, most of them are saying this because they are afraid and also because most of the time they have never been managed by a woman. I had this chance and I should say this is totally wrong.
On the opposite, it is true that women need to gain in confidence as they are moving forward in their career. They are often afraid to take higher positions because they feel not ready while they are.
Every wise man should accompany this very desirable mouvement.
Us, the men, we have a crucial role to play. I was a contributor two years ago of a book called "Gender Balance, when men step up". I wrote the preface indeed and a chapter in the French version.
It is time for women to be at last at the right levels to see the mesurable and positive impacts they will generate for the entire society.
In the coming days, I will publish our commitments at SAP France for the Gender Balance. Our CEO, Bill McDermott,# was in France last week and part of Vivatech (where he made a speech) and also leading the "Diversity" discussion at Tech For Good, asked by the President Emmanuel Macron to stand for all on the subject. He clearly said that SAP is fully committed to find the right Gender Balance equilibrium and also that we will improve quickly several key and mesurable indicators.
We are going to make things happen in France, at SAP.
Chief of Staff of the CTO, Kyriba
6 年Whether we agree or not, it’s important that the article gives us, the readers, food for thought. Which this article, as a continuation of the initial one, did on my side. Thank you Gerald, you have put in writing some of the thoughts I have gathered on the subject throughout the years. Strengthened by the fact that I have discovered relatively late the “western culture” in business and with my unbiased “we are all equal” attitude had to learn the hard way what does it mean to actually not be equal in business. A very interesting angle might be to incorporate somehow the cultural aspect. Without judging or generalizing, but taking a step back and understanding where things come from. Maybe thus we will be able to motivate, inspire and personalize engagement of men and women in transforming the today’s world “designed by men for men”.
Direction de projet / Pilotage de Recette - Certifiée ISTQB Avancé Test Manager
6 年Whatever the gender, the only selection criterion for any position must be Competence.
Talent Leader | TA, DEI Advisor & Conference Director | Founder - Fair Cultures
6 年Gerald, I love the energy from this post. I had the pleasure to meet Anka Wittenberg last year at Ada Lovelace conference and the commitment and visible intent to create an inclusive environment can only be an inspiration. As a business model your organization seems to be pillared on collaboration and healthy relationships, values by which most of women leaders can thrive equally. Keep up the good work!
Business Consulting Services specialising in Business Analysis and Project Management
6 年This is admitting that there has never been and still not equality and potentially will be
MD Spoke:Your CVP is everything! Deliver your customers what they REALLY NEED, whether they know it yet or not. Become their most trusted supplier/partner
6 年When a picture conveys 1000 words. Fantastically clear message!