Executive Women's Networking Blog : Women Executive News & Information : Epstein Becker Green Law Firm : Business Development, Women Lawyers, Female Business Leaders

• Email This
• Print
• Comments
• Trackbacks

The Wall Street Journal recently featured an interesting article entitled "Women Leaders by the Numbers," which highlights the progress that women have made in business and politics, as well as the barriers to advancement they continue to face. 

The good news is that women leaders are making a positive impact. The article points out that the next session of Congress will include more women Senators and Representatives than ever before. Also, research reveals that the public seems increasingly comfortable with the idea of a woman leader in 19 key jobs. Women-owned businesses are growing faster than other U.S. firms, and Fortune 500 companies with the most women leaders experience a financial advantage--that is, "a 35% higher return on equity and a 34% higher total return to shareholders than those with the least number of women." 

The bad news is that only 20 percent of the top leadership roles are held by women. It's rare to find a woman CEO at a Fortune 500 company. Studies show that the public still perceives men to be better leaders at jobs requiring assertiveness and forcefulness. Because women are not properly represented in most traditionally male-dominated industries, that perception is unlikely to change anytime soon.

The article ends on a high note, by indicating that our struggling economy may give women more chances to lead. Because women are "good consensus leaders" and "good team leaders," they may be better suited than men to help their companies stay afloat during the maelstrom created by the recession. 

I highly recommend that you read "Women Leaders by the Numbers" and tell us your thoughts. Are more women obtaining leadership roles at your company?

At my law firm, EpsteinBeckerGreen, there has been a concerted effort to create more women leaders. Our women's initiative provides training and opportunities to enhance business development and leadership skills. I'm pleased to report that two of the five core practice steering committees at my firm are now led by women.