gender balance

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Gender Balance

• Just another case of diversity?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

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Women in the world

men25 %

women75 %

Global working hours

Men99 %

Women1 %

Accumulated Wealth


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Women in Europe

Men41 %

Women59 %

University Graduates

Men97 %

Women3 %

Directors Top Co.s


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Women in Europe

56.2 % 70 % 90 %97 %

98.6 %

43.8 %30 %

10 %3 %

1.4 %

All workersManagement

Serving on BoDsBoD Top listed

CEOs FT 500

Men Women


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Is it important?

The world of humanity has two wings - one is women and the other men. Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible.

Abdu’l-Bahá


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Is it really important?

Gender equality is not only morally right, it is pivotal to human progress and sustainable development

UNICEF’s 2007 report on state of the world’s children


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We seem to have a problem What organizations say


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I don’t feel concernedWhat successful women say


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Women’s “mistakes”

Women

It’s personal

It’s important!

Emotions

don’t ask


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What organizations do

Introducing:

Mother- and W/L-supporting measures

Structured, professional talent management processes

Eliminating:

Habits excluding women

Unverified assumptions


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In our society

Stereotypes

Role distribution

Expectations

Norms


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Culture

Men suggest women should learn the rules of the game

Women don’t think it’s a game


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Culture

• Fish-egg strategy

• 2-class society: winners and losers

• Relentless, breathless

• Tough game, high reward

• Youth rules


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Values

• Competition

• Individualism

• Ambition

• Masculinity


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Manhood

1. No Sissy Stuff: Avoid anything associated with women;

2. A Big Wheel: success, power, admiration. Wealth, fame, status;

3. A Sturdy Oak: rationality, toughness, self-reliance. Calm in any situation, no emotion, no weakness;

4. Give 'em Hell: daring and aggression, take risks, "go for it" even against reason or fear

(Martin P. Levine, 1998, p.145)


O N L Y

WRONG WAY

WRONG WAY

STOPNO

STOPPINGANYTIME

The Double-Bind Dilemma forWomen in Leadership:

!"#$%&'() *+,'!+-'!++#%&'() *+,'!+$./

The double bind

damned if you dodoomed if you don’t


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The double bind

• Double bind n (1) A psychological impasse created when contradictory demands are made of an individual...so that no matter which directive is followed, the response will be construed as incorrect. (2) A situation in which a person must choose between equally unsatisfactory alternatives; a punishing and inescapable dilemma. (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language)

• Leadership: men still seen as leaders by default by men and women

• Women seen as going against the norms of leadership or against the norms of femininity


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How can we change it?

• Increase the number and the influence of women

• Women who have the courage to remain women; to develop their best feminine values and competencies and to make a difference


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Who has a role to play?

Organizations

Governments

Educators & Parents

Men

Women


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What will change?

Hierarchy Equality

Goal (linear) Process (multiple)

Power Influence

Command Involvement


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What will change?

Team player Team member

Friendliness (Utilitarian) Friendship (relationship)

Domination Contribution


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What will change?

Smart ObjectivesSmart ObjectivesSmart Objectives

Specific S Stimulating

Measurable M Motivating

Attainable A Appropriate

Realistic R Relevant

Time-bound T Tangible


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Advice for Women Managers

• Know what you want: have a personal vision!

• Don’t assume transparency!

• Doing a good job is not enough!

• Take personal leadership!

• Network!


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Advice for Women Managers

• Negotiate for yourself!

• Understand - not play - the game!

• Make your choices and maintain a healthy balance!

• Find yourself a role model or a mentor!

• Influence the culture!


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What to expect“The world in the past has been ruled by force, and man has dominated over woman by reason of his more forceful and aggressive qualities both of body and mind. But the balance is already shifting; force is losing its dominance, and mental alertness, intuition, and the spiritual qualities of love and service, in which woman is strong, are gaining ascendancy. Hence the new age will be an age less masculine and more permeated with the feminine ideals, or, to speak more exactly, will be an age in which the masculine and feminine elements of civilization will be more evenly balanced.” (Abdu’l Baha)


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