We’ve made it! Women in leadership roles are being recognized as one of the top business trends for 2019 and beyond. It is about time!
From the Inc. Magazine article, The 5 Biggest Leadership Trends, we learn that embracing women in leadership is a hot topic:
“A profitable firm at which 30 percent of leaders are women could expect to add more than 1 percentage point to its net margin compared with an otherwise similar firm with no female leaders.”
For business leaders, the next challenge comes in addressing this disparity. Companies that wish to grow need to find ways to diversify their leadership teams. By creating a more inclusive and welcoming culture, leaders can foster an environment where everyone can achieve success.
Recognize Gender Bias
Replacing ineffective unconscious bias training with a focus on conscious inclusion
Efforts are undoubtedly being made to hire a more diverse workforce in order to build teams of people with differing backgrounds, skills and opinions, however unconscious bias still operates in companies on a daily basis. The problem is that unconscious bias can reduce diversity, stifle talent and, ultimately, negatively affect the bottom line. Perspectives are dismissed because they are expressed quietly, individuals are overlooked for promotion while noisier and perhaps less competent peers advance, and opportunities to reach a new market are bypassed because their consumers are not perceived to be ideal.
The Need to Be Agile
Deloitte US also jumped on the topic of leadership trends and agility and diversity lead the way.
What Does This Mean?
It has been said that if a business stands still (i.e. does what they have always done in the past) they will soon be run over. That has never been truer than in today’s fast-paced, technology-led business world.
Business leaders need to recognize the fact that their talent pool is getting younger, more tech-savvy, and definitely more socially aware than leaders in the past. No longer will it be acceptable that promotions go to the oldest on the team.
Forbes contributor Maureen Metcaff addresses the fact that businesses are doing away with age-based seniority:
With the decrease of age-based seniority, leadership will be taken by the best person for the role and will likely shift frequently in an agile environment. Organizations need to be creative in promoting engagement and teamwork across multiple generations.
This is great news for the highly motivated, younger employee. Small Business Chronicle talks about the changes in seniority and advancement. Businesses aren’t just looking to promote those that have been there the longest, but rather looking to advance those with the best skill set and results.
Workers who recognize that the best performers are the ones who get ahead may put forth the extra effort they believe it takes to receive promotions.
Be Prepared
This is all good news for women in business who desire to advance their career. While we still have a long way to go – the seeds have been planted.
It is time to be prepared. If you are looking to advance in your career you will need to do a little preparation so that companies looking to hire women in leadership positions will know to consider you:
- Brand yourself for your future
- Build your network and secure a sponsor
- Overcome your fears
- Embrace continued learning and become more employable
- Be visible – let it be known you are interested
- Read my book: Accelerate Your Impact – A Playbook for Professional Women
Now is your time. The ground is fertile. Be confident and go after your perfect career.
JJ DiGeronimo — the president of Tech Savvy Women — is a speaker, author, and thought leader for women in tech and girls and STEM. Through her work, JJ empowers professional women and consults with senior executives on strategies to retain and attract women in technology to increase thought and leadership diversity within organizations.
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