Read on for a clearer understanding of women’s challenges in advancing to leadership roles and the evidence-based strategies Corporate Diversity Pathways is implementing to drive progress in closing the gender gap.
Written by: Jeromine Alpe
As the CEO of Corporate Diversity Pathways (CDP), Jeromine brings over 25 years of experience and a steadfast commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Her pioneering work in the DEI field ensures that organisations benefit from expertly guided strategies to build inclusive workplaces where every individual can thrive.
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Gender diversity in the workplace has proven benefits, from improved decision-making to increased innovation and better profit margins. However, if women in leadership continue to be underrepresented, companies need help building balanced, inclusive teams to drive impact.
McKinsey has released Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th Anniversary Report in partnership with LeanIn.Org.
The findings represent women’s “notable gains” and how their work experiences are “in many ways the same or worse than ten years ago.”
Here are essential insights from this research that inform the Corporate Diversity Pathways approach to supporting women in leadership.
1. Establish Clear Pathways for Advancement
Inclusive Pathways
One challenge in creating a pipeline of women in leadership roles is a need for more well-defined pathways. Organisations should create a structure with actionable, inclusive pathways, access to networking opportunities, and positioning for visible, growth-oriented roles through mentorship and sponsorship.
Begin by assessing existing talent pipelines and using the findings to pinpoint potential barriers to advancement for women. Based on your organisation’s data, you can create opportunities for well-supported leadership pathways with evidence-based talent solutions. These pathways support the women on your teams in pursuing leadership roles, benefiting them as individuals and the business as a whole.
Promotion Equity
Women are typically promoted at lower rates than men in parallel roles, leading to gender imbalances in leadership. Addressing this requires reviewing promotion criteria that create biases and barriers. A fair and transparent promotion framework allows women to gain and maintain an equal footing in climbing the career ladder.
Mentorship and Sponsorship
Structured mentorship and sponsorship programs are vital in advancing women in leadership. Sponsorship by senior leaders gives women greater visibility and opportunities, while mentorship provides valuable guidance and support. Companies that create space and resources for these relationships also show potential candidates their commitment to nurturing female talent and creating supportive career pathways.
At Corporate Diversity Pathways, we understand that fostering gender diversity in the workplace can be challenging. Whether you’re seeking strategies to enhance recruitment, promote inclusive leadership, or create an equitable work environment, our team of experts is here to help. Don’t hesitate to reach out—ask your questions today, and let’s work together to create a more inclusive future!
2. Promote Flexible, Inclusive Workplace Policies
Flexibility is essential for building an inclusive work environment. It allows women to thrive in leadership positions, as they are often faced with disproportionate caregiving responsibilities. This also makes supportive, family-friendly policies crucial, so companies prioritising flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and childcare support are better positioned to attract and retain women in leadership roles.
3. Address Unconscious Bias and Embed Allyship
Address Unconscious Bias
Women in leadership can encounter bias, unconscious stereotypes, and the perception of being either too assertive or not assertive enough, all of which can inhibit a woman’s professional growth. Addressing these biases is crucial, and companies can mitigate these challenges by beginning with a culture of allyship and awareness.
Embed Allyship
For this to be effective, every level of an organisation needs to commit to an inclusive workplace culture. Targeted DEI training, coaching, and leadership development programs are evidence-based tools for embedding allyship in the workplace. These programs can help women identify biases, champion their individual talents, and build strong, supportive teams.
Implement Equitable Pay Practices
Pay transparency is crucial for a comprehensive workplace DEI strategy. Regular pay audits and adjustments for imbalances also promote a culture of fairness. These practices support retention and clearly show that leadership roles are financially equitable.
Tackle Workplace Microaggressions
Microaggressions create a hostile work environment that can disproportionately affect minority and marginalised communities, including women and especially those from diverse backgrounds. An excellent place to start is to communicate that clear channels have been established for reporting inappropriate behaviours. Educating staff on inclusive practices also helps to reduce these incidents, and both are important, as creating a supportive culture is key to ensuring women feel respected, valued, and empowered to reach leadership positions.
How Corporate Diversity Pathways Supports Women in Leadership
Need help to address gender equality in your workplace? Corporate Diversity Pathways understands the value of gender diversity at the executive level and the importance of developing inclusive leadership pipelines. With a tailored approach to search and selection, talent development, and workplace inclusion strategies, we’re working with organisations across Australia to build a business case for promoting gender equality in your workplace and creating environments that help your organisation drive innovation.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you implement these recommendations and ensure your workplace sets realistic targets to improve gender diversity and increase the number of women in leadership.
Our evidence-based solutions are designed to transform your company culture, enhance team collaboration, and drive sustainable success.
Take the first step towards a more inclusive future. Connect with us today! Call us at +61 404 888 335 or email us at hello@corporatediversitypathways.com to get your questions answered and start making a difference in your organisation!
