Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders | Personal Development and Success Coaching by C.S. Hughes

Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders May 10, 2011

[VIDEO BELOW] My last post was about the first female self-made millionaire in America. Since then I have been wondering why we have so few female business success stories compared to their male counterparts. And why is less than 1% of the worlds wealth in a woman's name? These are very complex issues that I won't pretend to understand, but for women who have the desire to succeed in business or in the work place, these are very important questions to consider.

Though both my mother and father worked outside the home when I was growing up, I was raised in a culture where moms traditionally stayed home and were the primary nurturers of the children, and fathers were the sole or primary bread winners for their families. I have strong convictions about this personally and feel that God has hard-wired the genders radically differently and each has been genetically and spiritually programmed to thrive in differing environments (though each may do well in any environment they chose to do well in).

Having said that, there are many woman who want to wield the sword of business success. They want to bring home the bacon. They want to leave their mark in the work place. They want to compete. They want to be recognized. They want to earn. They want to accomplish. They want to make big money, go to the very top, and they want to win! And, they should absolutely be able to experience all of these things and more. And, in fields where gender does not and should not matter, women who bring the same or more value than the men they work with, should be able to equal or out earn them…. but they don't.

Neither my mother or father went to college. Both worked until near retirement age. When dad retired (forced) from the work place, he was earning $82,000 a year as the Chief of Graphics at Lockhead Martin, with more than 50 employees working for him. When my mom retired, she was earning $23,700 a year as an hourly worker at Mrs. Baird's Bread Thrift Store. What's up with that?

I stumbled onto an amazingly insightful video this morning on this very topic. The speaker you will see is Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook. Though I don't agree with all that she says, and feel she is hair pessimistic, she will make you think. Overall, I enjoyed her speech.

To both my male and female readers, if you have a hard-charging female in your organization, company or family, etc., or perhaps one you want to light a fire under, this would be a great video to pass along.

And finally, when you finish watching the video below, I'd love it if you would share your thoughts/feelings or add your insights. Also, please use the Facebook and other share options below. Enjoy the vid.

Tags: Sheryl Sandberg, success, Ted, Woman in the workplace

Eviemarie06

Wow loved most of it I don’t wish for my cildren to be in the corpret structure but I do wish for them to bring equal greatness to the world and
generations to come.if we teach ourkid to belive and atchieve big they will.
Rmorales815

Loved the video. Dont leave before you leave. Everything can be accomplished if you put your self to it.
Aundrea Rammelsberg

Realities. Her tone is a bit pessimistic; yes. However, she makes several points really pinpointing some of the reasons “why there are not more women leaders.” As I watched, I found myself identifying with everything she was saying.

I was reminded of a comment made of a successful woman,”if I had a wife, I’d be able to accomplish just as much as my husband!” This issue of women finding their role in leadership or developing more women leaders is a multifaceted one.

I am passionate about creating, developing, inspiring and empowering women leaders. Women are socialized differently. Women have an innate longing to be nurturers. Being a wife and a mother change some women’s focus – as they realize motherhood is their calling. Because of the socialization differences, women have not had the same exposure to confidence building.

I totally related to the idea of lacking in negotiation skills. Right now, my husband is telling me to ask for more, and I fear I’ll be rejected to even put my job in jeopardy to ask.

Strong women in the workplace are known by interesting names – so a successful women is despised if she exhibits the same qualities of posture as her male counterparts. I hear men who can’t stand successful women like Oprah Winfrey or Martha Stewart. It’s as if people want to see women leaders, but the moment a woman arrives – she’s labeled with the “b” word or she’s a tyrant.

There are mixed signals in society about women in the workplace. Women are working – many of them because they have to help pay for daily living expenses. It’s safe to say, not every woman in the workplace wants to be there or desires to become the next CEO of her company.

Women are motivated differently than men. Women need assurance – not something really admired in the modern day workplace. Women need acknowledgment and recognition. I’ll never forget working in corporate America in a managerial meeting. The question was posed, “what can we do to drive the troops – be more productive?” A woman, a leader in the company suggested recognition. Her superior immediately, refuted her suggestion by saying, “I’m not motivated by recognition – I’m here to do my job. My paycheck is my reward.” I about fell off my chair! This is a personal example, so it would be unfair for me to say this is the same in every work place. However, I feel there is just not concern to help women achieve.

Sometimes, it’s an “all or nothing” situation for women. Either women decide to withstand the challenges of corporate America alone to succeed or systematically they choose “out” when they feel they can take no more or have sacrificed to much of themselves.

I am grateful to have the option of growing my own home based business. I know I’m not alone when I say, “I’d prefer being my own boss and doing things my way” without all the red tape and institutionalization of corporate America. I hope in some way, I can help other women similar to myself who desire for greatness and wish to do so from the comfort of their home.

Drawing from the words of Martin Luther King, Jr, “I have a dream today … that every woman who wishes to become a leader in her field of work will create an environment where the values of women are cherished. Where womanhood is honored. Where values of sacrifice, time and devotion are cherished and amplified. I have a dream that the goodness of women will spread across the world enriching the lives of every person, every corporation, and every nation … I have a dream!”

http://www.cshughes.com C.S. Hughes

Andrea Rammelsberg: Wow! Great comments. I know and can tell from this reading that you are so passionate about this. I really appreciate your insights and your sharing them with me and my readers. I appreciate you. CSH

http://www.facebook.com/lktwilley Linda K Twilley

Just let’s me know that things aren’t so different out there in the corporate world for men or women. Both work their butts off for someone else for years and years while their families take second place to it all. Then, poof, they suddenly realize that it really was not in their best interest in the long run. Time waits for no one!

We must realize our true definiteness of purpose and head in that direction by trusting in our own thoughts and abilities. We must find what it is we enjoy doing and do it for ourselves, our families, and our own well-being. What a circle – working in the corporate arena for someone else’s best interest and finally returning back home with a lot less than you started with in the end, in most cases, an empty nest.

Doesn’t sound so good to me, except that we can all start where we are, today, investing in ourselves for a better day. Thanks for sharing the video – just made me think out loud.
http://www.facebook.com/lktwilley Linda K Twilley

Hmmmm… does make you wonder! What’s your take on it?
Emmalee

Its interesting what she said at the end. I think that our culture has a dislike for women who are powerful. It is subtle, but its there. As a woman becomes successful some women are jealous of her, and some men are threatened by her. Again, this may be on a subliminal level, but its there. This is ironic, because likability is a strong key to negotiating and selling. As with all success, we need to work harder on ourselves that we do on our business. As women, we need to define what a likable, powerful, successful woman is. There are a few women in our history who have blazed that trail. They may not have always been popular, but they were effective! Just like the first female self made millionaire!
http://www.facebook.com/kimberly.olsen Kimberly Olsen

This is a great topic. I echo Aundrea’s sentiments and wish to add a few comments.
From the time I first got married, almost 12 years ago I always said I wanted it all – I wanted to be a business woman, wife, mother. Next thing I knew, I found myself putting my dreams on the back burner for a lot of those 12 years. Yes, I have a wonderful husband and fantastic children, but the fault lies with me. I chose to put my dreams on hold, now I realize that by me pursuing passions that are important to me I am empowering my daughters and son in a whole new way. I am realizing that I can have it all, and I hope other people, especially women will realize that too.

I am passionate about empowering women. On the other hand, feel a shift in the world. A shift from traditional corporate America. Corporations are now being run from home offices and laptops in a bedroom. Not just mom and pop shops. I am talking about major companies allowing their top people the freedom to do their work in other environments than the office. Along with this shift and with the economical changes that are so abundant we are seeing that home based businesses, online marketing and network marketing are becoming not only accepted, but the choice way for people worldwide to create income for their families and communities.These shifts are going to allow more room for not only women, but stay at home Dads and couples in business, to take leadership roles. The world needs regular people, especially women to step up and assume positions that will allow their personal creativity to inspire greatness in people that only they can reach. That may be through creating wealth, teaching principles of business, enlightening others with personal development and many other avenues; some of which have not even been thought of yet.

It is thrilling to be a part of a world that has so much to offer anyone willing to put fear aside and reach out to grasp their potential. So many people talk of the gloom and doom…it can be difficult for some to see themselves inspiring anyone when they feel like they are the ones that need inspiring. Women, especially need to realize that they have roles to fulfill in Corporations, the business arena, and most importantly, their homes.

I hope other people, especially my female counterparts realize this ~ It may be that you are destined to achieve something great in the business world or run a company the size of a small country. It may be that you are here to be inspiration to one lonely housewife that needs to hear what you have to say or one child looking up to you for motivation and acceptance. Whatever the case may be, embrace who you are and fill the world around you with the unique greatness that is YOU!

When women realize they are important and have great talents to share, a voice to be heard…you will see more women leaders!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jackie-Apfel-Estrella/1174137966 Jackie Apfel Estrella

Ms Sandberg definitely had some good points there. It is very difficult to find balance between personal fulfillment and professional success. Thank you for sharing this video Mr. Hughes!