All the Good Women are Taken
Not so long ago I worked with a laser-sharp and kind-hearted executive. This wasn’t his first rodeo. On the topic of recruiting women into high-level roles, his response was simple: “I’ve tried. If they’re experienced, they’ve already been taken.”
That may be, sadly, accurate if previous experience is the key prerequisite for gaining experience. How many women are Fortune 500 CEO’s? A mere 8%. And how many of those company board seats are held by women? Just about 26%.
By default, these companies already have all the experienced women. But does that mean there are no ‘good’ women left?
Despite overwhelming research on the financial benefits of gender-balanced leadership, the demand for prior experience continues to outweigh the proven success of inclusion. This pattern will persist until male mentorship and allyship are viewed as business imperatives - or until regulation and investor pressures push companies to consider broader qualifications than past experience.
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Something you can start today:
Invite women to observe and contribute at executive-level meetings, especially when the stakes are high. Not only will women gain valuable experience, the company will benefit from the unique insights of the women at the table.
Something else long term:
Participate in women-lead associations and events. Listen and learn. Showcase your company as a welcoming environment for women. Offer mentorship to rising stars. And ask women to make introductions - trust me, we all know superstars who are ready to rise.