Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg offers insights worth considering on why women remain in the minority at senior executive levels, when numerically the balance should be 50/50. According to research by Catalyst, Women serves as CEOs in just 3.8% of the Fortune 500 and 4% of the Fortune 1000 companies. We’re no where near double digits, much less approaching the 50% mark that would signal a playing field that is, finally, level.
Sheryl’s wants us to think about research that still suggests that the more successful a woman is the less she is . . . . liked.
So while men enjoy the fruits of their success, attracting friends and admirers in their wake, women face quite the opposite. Is it no wonder that a significant percentage opt out. However, Sheryl encourages women to stay in the game. You have to stay in it to win it.
A woman should not have to choose whether she wishes to be liked or to be a leader. It is not an either-or scenario for men. It shouldn’t have to be for women. Until that changes, my friends, we have work to do.
Krista Bradford is CEO of the next-gen retained search firm The Good Search and oversees management of its talent acquisition research and intelligence division Intellerati. In a former career, Ms. Bradford worked as an award-winning television journalist and investigative reporter. Now she pursues truth, justice, and great talent in the executive suite . . .
