Top female executives from five leading economies describe their paths to success

Female role models in international management: How do top female executives in different countries plan their corporate careers? How do they seize and build upon opportunities? What techniques do they use to overcome obstacles? What leadership styles enable them to advance to senior management and then remain there? My new book, "Women in Top management: Role Models from around the Globe share their Paths to success", traces the successful career paths of fascinating women in top leadership positions and invites readers to reflect on their own strategies.

The five leading economies selected for this study represent the top, middle and bottom segments of the global rankings for women's participation in top management (Women in Business, Thornton 2018). The book will also shed light on the extent to which the external environment serves to promote a woman’s career, and to what extent female executives build their corporate careers in an autonomous fashion and without reference to societal pressures.

Why did I choose these particular countries? 

My many years of experience abroad enabled me to reach out to top female managers in China, Russia, Japan, France and Germany. The women responded to a series of questions posed within the framework of the Global Women Career Lab, a research and training initiative for women in management positions worldwide. The book covers the career paths of over 110 women in more than 500 companies and 26 economic sectors. The experiences of the top women leaders were analyzed in a qualitative, empirical investigation and the findings brought together within a scientific framework. Quotes taken from the interviews provide personal insights into the executives' success stories as told in their own words. 

"The book offers female managers and professionals inspiration for their career strategies, and companies and universities insights into management and leadership issues."

 (Women in Top management: Role Models from around the Globe share their Paths to success, Oct. 2020, De Gruyter Oldenburg, ISBN 978-3-11-071503-3, link for pre-orders:https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/590828?language=en, German version Sept 7.)

The ideal senior female executive: what do women from these five leading economies have in common?

The women share several characteristics: "From an early age, these top female executives evince a desire to succeed - and this desire is intense." The ideal female top manager pursues her management career unperturbed by her social environment and by prevailing norms. "The ideal female top manager is unaffected by the opinions of others. She is not afraid of conflict and takes a sporting attitude to competition." Other roles, including that of mother, are subordinate to the wish to be, first and foremost, an executive.  The ideal female executive starts her management journey with in-depth training, often at an elite university, and develops her management skills in a targeted manner. The ideal female executive begins early on in her career to give thought to her personal management style, and one outward sign of this conscious career planning is the way in which she rapidly assumes leadership responsibility. She actively seeks support, engages in networking and consults mentors and coaches.

These women do not wait for the corporate landscape to change. They choose their companies carefully and go where they see the best opportunities. Challenges are welcomed and setbacks are used as opportunities to learn. A high degree of flexibility and a willingness to embrace change help the ideal female top manager. The top female manager strives for autonomy and power, with the aim of having a positive impact on the company, and is very committed to her employees. She aims to be a role model, is highly motivated and displays solidarity towards other women. 

So what sets the top female managers from Russia, China, France, Japan and Germany apart from other women?

In detailed, country-specific chapters, the hallmark characteristics of these women's career paths, their personalities and their recipes for success are examined within the contexts of their particular environments. Key themes, such as the compatibility of a managerial career with family responsibilities, and how the women deal with discrimination, are considered, as are the aptitudes and competencies of women in senior management positions and the specific strengths that women bring to the management role. 

The book is designed to offer suggestions, provide encouragement and open up new vistas for personal development. It also calls for more solidarity among female managers. The book offers men a chance to gain a better understanding of the female perspective and, in turn, to create a better corporate environment for their female employees, for their daughters and indeed for all women: one in which every talented employee is given an equal chance. 

Why I wrote this book

For many years I have been supporting successful women (and men) in their careers. It is a source of great fulfilment to me to witness how they grow and achieve excellence as a result of our work together. As one of my interviewees said: "For the talented woman, the sky's the limit. You need a strong will to conquer it.

The book:  ?Women in Top management: Role Models from around the Globe share their Paths to success“ by Dr. Bettina Al-Sadik-Lowinski, October 2020, De Gruyter Oldenbourg (ISBN 978-3-11-071503-3, link for pre-orders:  https://www.degruyter.com/view/title/590828?language=en, German Version Sept. 7, 2020)

Testimonials from five nations:

?A wealth of testimonials from female role models from all over the world, with valuable advice for women pursuing professional development as well as for companies leveraging diversity for competitive advantage. “  Hong Chow, China CEO Roche Pharma, Member of Supervisory Board Beiersdorf, China

?Women need other women as role models in management in order to plan their careers more strategically and understand that the sky is unlimited for them. In this book 110 role models from various countries share their experiences and I was especially impressed by the examples from Asian female leaders.” Mari Nogami, President Takeda Consumer Healthcare Japan, Inaugural Chair of Women in Business AmCham Japan

?In these challenging times in a process of civilization changing it is especially important to hear women’s voices from all over the world. Everyone can find something for themselves in this book, for me it became from one sight very comforting, from another - very inspiring. Dr Bettina Al-Sadik-Lowinski is a very deep and sophisticated researcher and interviewer, her method is absolutely unique and opens new doors for leaders and for newcomers, as much as for book heroes and book readers.” Elmira Makhmutova, former CEO CTC-TV Channel, Russia

?As a big advocator for global diversity, I recommend this book to all women who want to rise up their careers globally and to corporate leaders who support diversity in their companies worldwide! “ Rosa Lee, Executive Vice President of Bosch China, Member of the Board and Corporate HR Head APAC, China

?Full of valuable insights. A must read to understand how women career paths work. Read it. Implement it.”vChristine Hesse, CEO Hesse Design, Germany

?It’s not right to think that business is a man′s world. Women are more sensitive and calmer - this makes us different, helps us to balance and makes ladies the best partners for men.” Natalia Ryzhkova, CEO Gulliver&Co Int., Russia

“International, authentic reports from female top managers from different countries combined with a sound scientific analysis of the growth factors for women in management. Insights across countries. Highly recommended! "Professor Dr. Jutta Rump, Managing Director, Institut of Employability (IBE), University of the Economy and Society Ludwigshafen, Germany

?Women need to understand the country specific codes and create their best image as top managers- using language, their look and body postures. This book shows us the similarities and the differences of female images in top positions in the five nations. Great findings! “ Muriel de Saint Sauveur, President Women Masterclass, former International Marketing, Communications and Diversity Director, Mazars Group, France

?Les femmes doivent oser prendre leur juste place dans l’economie, que ce soit en tant qu’entrepreneure ou en tant que cadre dirigeante. C’est une question d’equilibre social mais plus encore de potentiel de performance. Plus de femmes signifie plus de croissance et plus de diversité dans les choix stratégiques. Osez, osez, c’est le maitre-mot à mettre en pratique!“ Marie-Claire Capobianco, Ex membre du Comité exécutif du groupe BNPParibas, Membre du Haut Comité de Gouvernement d’Entreprise, France

?Chinese female executives have many strengths. Great learnings also from women around the world. A treasure book!“ Shelley Chen, Senior Director Human Resources, Communications and Public Relations, Saint-Gobain Pipe, APAC, Head of PAM-LAN- Diversity Institute, China

“Top managers from five nations provide insights into how they strategically plan their careers, and break down barriers. The author Dr. Bettina AL-Sadik-Lowinski has managed to work out the cultural differences and similarities between these women. Very educational, worth reading and scientifically sound. " Prof. Manuela Rousseau, Deputy chairwoman of the supervisory board and Author, Germany

"Finally. International role models report what women need to advance further. The quotes contain a global fund that helps women successfully overcome barriers.” Christine Rittner, former Global CHRO, Executive board member, Lidl, Germany 

A journey through the career worlds of women of different cultures. Solidarity from women for women. Highly recommended. Dr. Marion Welp, Attorney at Law, Chief Human Resources & Legal Affairs Officer, Member Executive Management Team, Board member, Esprit, Germany

“Women in top management positions speak plain language. A great initiative. " Sonja Mechling, Head of Global Marketing, UX & Digital Innovation, Schindler Group, Germany

?This world deserves more ladies in the leadership positions as a driver of positive changes. Dr. Bettina and her ladies have found their way to the Top and generously share it in the book.” Evgeny Bazhov, Chief Representative, Financial Association of EuroAsian Cooperation, Russia