Women on Boards
Posted In: diversity, Fortune, Jon Swartz, law, legislation, Michal Lev-Ram, Morgan Stanley, quota, Twitter, USA Today, women
Comments: 9 Responses
Theo Schwabacher pushes for more women in the boardroom. Is legislation the answer?
Theo Schwabacher pushes for more women in the boardroom. Is legislation the answer?
Bravo for bringing this panel together and addressing such an important issue. Change is happening, but too slowly. As a clinical psychologist I know that adaptation can be difficult, but is demanded by evolution for survival. I hope more leaders of organizations will become aware of the real benefits of diversity in management, and look to make the brave choices that will ensure more collaborative and effective leadership. In general, women add a different perspective, are better attuned to group dynamics, and have a more collaborative approach. We need to acknowledge that women are just as capable, and celebrate the diversity they bring to the table. Truly effective organizations that are first movers in this area will reap the rewards.
This is a really important issue. As mentioned on the panel, credible data increasingly suggest that greater inclusion of women on boards (and in the C-suite) generally leads to healthier outcomes for what matters most: profitability and the bottom-line. Quotas, or legislative mandates, could work situationally. But they are certainly not a silver-bullet. They don’t address the fundamental, underlying causes of this. And they could, in certain circumstances, foster resentment. The tech sector (vs. other sectors) is probably a more extreme case study of this issue — but it’s worth dissection since it is so prominently in the spotlight. Not all women have identical strengths or leadership profiles; Not all men have identical strengths or leadership profiles. But we know through both psychological and brain research, as the commenter above stated, that women tend (thought not always) to be more collaborative and inclusive in their approach. They generally have a different decision-making process and risk-profile. This is neither better nor worse, in absolute terms, than more traditional male orientation. BUT, ultimately, companies are best served by having a balance of the two. Based on what we now know about gender differences in the brain, perhaps the financial services sector would have been better suited with balanced male-female leadership and board composition in the years leading up to the “great recession.” Has the lesson been learned? I’m not so sure…but we should continue to advance this discussion.
What a timely and critical issue. I think Theo really hit the nail on the head when she said it’s not just about women — it’s about reflecting the population as a whole; it’s multi-cultural, multi-generational, multi-gender. In order to fully embrace our rapidly changing times, we have to embrace new ways of thinking, new ways of viewing the world, new solutions to old problems. We can’t poor old wine into new bottles and assume that’s progress. Establishing women’s networks like the WCD is a good start, too — and a powerful way to create new channels outside of the traditional “old boys clubs.”
Yes, I agree with Dr. Alicia Clark, change is happening too slowly. Great comments by Theo Schwabacher to lay out the case for increasing placement of women on Boards. Visibility in forums like this show are a wonderful way to get the word out, and turn the tide in this important area.
I appreciate many aspects about this conversation but mainly the fact that it is happening. Data driven evidence of women adding value in the boardroom is becoming common knowledge. This will help create yet more incentive to balance the boardroom of public companies which are legally responsible to the bottom line. Theo brought good insights and info. I’d like to see more #LeanIn content on Press: Here.
Important topic. Theo very informed.
Legislation not the answer; social consciencness and corporate mandates seem more appropriate.
It is time corporations (old /new) pay attention and react outside the box for the benefit of our future.
Thank you for addressing this significant issue.
Excellent show and a topic that deserves a lot more coverage. I hope that you have Schwabacher back in the future to hear if progress is being made in getting more women on boards.
Theo Schwabacher addresses a critical issue. Women in the boardroom bring value, expertise and a particular perspective. With the majority of purchasing decisions being made by women it’s incumbent on companies to include women in the upper echelons of power and decision making.
This issue isn’t just about gender. It addresses an important competitive edge that any company that want’s to grow would be foolish to ignore.