With only 13 women CEO’s in the Fortune 500 and 14 in the next 500, there is no doubt that there continues to be a glass ceiling in Corporate America. That only 2% of CEO’s of Fortune 1000 companies are women, while women now make up the majority of the workforce in the US, is indeed an unfortunate statistic.
For me the definition of a glass ceiling is something external that prevents us from climbing up to our desired place in the organization. There is a lot of research out there that many women “opt out” because it is too hard to juggle their demanding careers with their demanding personal lives. Other factors include lack of access to the networks, information and sponsors that help others rise.
It was curious to me then that at a recent Harvard Alumni panel I spoke at with two other C-suite women there was no recognition of a glass ceiling. The question the moderator asked was how had we experienced the glass ceiling in our careers and how had we broken through it. All 3 of us looked at each other and said “What glass ceiling?” Were we being delusional or overly optimistic? or both?
Interesting paradox. Are there glass ceilings we have in our brains that keep us from achieving our goals? Glass ceilings that come in the form of beliefs that we’re not good enough, smart enough, confident enough?
And perhaps the women who break through them don’t acknowledge them in the first place? So the question for me is what has allowed the 13 women who are CEO’s in the Fortune 500 to rise to their levels? No doubt it is leadership skills, talents, mentors, supports systems and a healthy dose of good luck. But could it also be the fact that they found a way to overcome the glass ceilings inside their brains?
To me the question comes down to one of personal accountability. We have so much more control over the glass ceilings inside our brains than the glass ceilings in our environment. And my belief is that any transformation must first start from within. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” as Gandhi said, although I doubt he would have thought it might apply to glass ceilings.
So what are the glass ceilings you have inside your brain? What tools have you used to overcome these glass ceilings?
[…] process on how to ask powerfully for what they want. We overcome the excuses we all make that let the glass ceiling inside our heads take away our power. So here are five steps to making a powerful […]
[…] process on how to ask powerfully for what they want. We overcome the excuses we all make that let the glass ceiling inside our heads take away our power. So here are five steps to making a powerful […]
Leave a CommentThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Interesting post. However, I don’t believe it has necessarily all to do with a glass ceiling in our (read: women’s) brain. I think it is more the mainstream idea that makes women not advance. Yes, women probably have the idea that they are not good enough to lead a business or become a top manager or smart enough. But it is hard to overcome these ideas as they are culturally determined. People are who the outside world makes them and how the outside world sees them. The mainstream idea is women are not capable and women are taught this believe ever since born. How then at age 30 or 40 can one overcome these ideas? Yes change should start from within but at this time it might be too late to change. Rather raise your children that men and women are equally. Praise both, let both do housework and so on. Change their ideas and I believe that in 30 to 50 years the world will be a whole lot more equal and women will be seen as capable. Keep your own kids confined to gender roles and this so-called glass ceiling will keep existing. I think the problem is the ideas and values in everyones mind that constrain women. How often do women want to be different but cannot be different because as soon as they act like men they’re called bitches. If they’re not cooperative (so-called feminine trait) but assertive they lose jobs because they don’t convey to standard norms. I don’t believe it is completely a glass ceiling in the women’s brain that makes us not advance rather it is society as a whole. Can we change it? Yes we can. Indeed start with yourself and those that you can influence like children, cousins, sisters and brothers.
Hi Anne – Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I agree with you that there are society’s norms and attitudes that need to be addressed as well and agree with many of the ideas you suggest. But if I want to change society’s mind, who do I call??? That’s been my concern about blaming society. As you suggest, let’s start with ourselves and start to role model the behavior – “be the change we wish to see in the world”. I wish you great luck with the change you are role modelling.
Henna
Good aternoon from across the pond. This subject interests me to the extent that I wrote a book about it (after 30+ years as an executive in major corporations). It’s titled, ‘The Glass Ceiling Delusion: the REAL reasons more women don’t reach senior positions’. Available from amazon.com, booksonboard.com and other leading retailers.
Best wishes,
Mike Buchanan
Hi Mike – Thank you for sharing about your book. Best of luck to you and keep up the good work.