Imbalance in Business
Let’s face it. There are way more men than women in executive positions in the business world. Globally. Recent studies show that there are an estimated 20% women in upper management, whereas only 8% in executive boards and only 2 out of ten start-ups have been founded by female entrepreneurs. These numbers are devastating and simply not acceptable.
But where does this imbalance come from? And more importantly, how can we change it?
I am not a big fan of regulated women quotas in corporate environments, as it seems to be a quick fix for the current situation, but not the longterm change that needs to happen in order to successfully integrate women and men in the business world. With equal chances.
There are many reasons for this imbalance such as historical, cultural and biological patterns, networking capabilities or simply the grits to take on challenges without questioning them. I am happy to share my thoughts and experiences with you.
My personal experience
In this blog section, I will frequently share my personal take on women in leadership positions with you. Being an executive for international companies and having successfully built my own businesses over the last 15 years, I want to give you the inspiration and courage to step up and get the successful career you are striving for and you deserve.
From my personal experiences dealing with many cultures, especially the difference between the American and German work culture, when it comes to career development opportunities for women, there are clear patterns leading to success, which I will share with you over the upcoming months.
Step Up and say Yes!
From what I have seen, one of the main reasons why women are less visible in business and specifically leadership positions is, that they simply don’t step up themselves.
I have seen many male employees proactively asking for more senior positions and salary raises in performance reviews – simply because they think they deserve it. I have rarely seen this attitude with women. Whenever I offered female team members an opportunity with more responsibilities and therefore reputation and also performance pressure, many of them denied because they didn’t think they were ready for it.
Whenever I openly offered mixed working teams to take on a new challenge, present that important client pitch, found that company, go on that business trip, take that job or represent the company on stage at that major conference – it was mostly men raising their hands.
This is why it is my personal passion to encourage women to step up. Don’t overthink it, just do it and figure out the rest later. Say Yes.
Say Yes to all career opportunities that come along your way or as Sheryl Sandberg from facebook expresses it:
” If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on!”
(Sheryl Sandberg)
Maybe it helps to keep in mind that in career development, studies say that only 10% really account for your performance. The rest, as simple as it might sound, is how you sell yourself.
In this sense, don’t blame the misbalance in business solely on external factors such as historical development, political circumstance, corporate culture, your boss or male colleagues. Actively do something about it.