Making climb to the top

Research presented at the 2010 annual meeting of the Academy of Management in Montreal (more than 9,000 in attendance from around the world) includes findings relevant to women desiring to move up the ladder.

When the number of women on a corporate board reaches critical mass (at least three), there is an observed positive contribution to innovation in the firm. The suggestion is that when an individual woman is no longer seen as a token but as a group member, there is an opportunity to not only open things up but to create workable coalitions for progress.

Somewhat building on this idea, there is a variety of initiatives to support more women in leadership positions in Europe, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom. These range from various types of voluntary initiatives to proactive approaches. Switzerland and Spain, for example, have enacted legislation to ensure that corporate boards have at least 40 percent female membership, and the same proposal is under consideration in Italy.

Analysis of data from more than 200 nations suggests that the important keys to building a power base for women leaders is the involvement of their countries in global marketplaces, international trade and modern technology. While developments in both economic and human health terms and the level of education are important predictors of women's leadership aspirations in these countries, the key to actual progress for women is gender equality. As work force pay, equity, banking and property rights advance, so does women's personal power, and where there is government support and respect for entrepreneurs, women tend to gravitate toward business leadership.

Networking and information sharing facilitate the rise of women leaders. The informal motto of the global participants -- collective, collaborative and connective -- is also an excellent description of how this works.

For aspiring female leaders in South Carolina, the suggestion is that if you are the first or second member of a board or work group, it is to your advantage to lower the ladder to help other women up. It takes numbers to get women accepted, and only then do you have the opportunity to get things done.

How might you approach the system? One recommendation is to apply the "alpha female" approach while maintaining your "feminine mystique." It requires a delicate balance and an understanding of the power games. Try these seven steps:

• Begin by approaching every situation as if you are on a level playing field while at the same time fully understanding that no such thing exists.
• Start out in neutral and coast into the right gear, the place from which you can begin to maneuver.
• In individual and group interactions, remember, it isn't personal, and it can't be about you. It's the agenda on the table and your strategy to advance a position you already have thought about and mapped out.
• It is all right to make concessions as long as they advance your position and are not seen as weakness.
• In meetings, always close on an upbeat note to avoid the impression that you prefer collaborating or just getting along to achieving the best result.
• Given a chance to lead, use interactive leadership and power sharing. It works because both men and women welcome the change from the traditional, top-down way things have been done in the past.
• Develop an inner circle of five or more people with the common mission of building alliances so each of you can advance projects.

None of the above is going to change the world, but that is not what you are trying to do. For women, it is mostly an uphill climb. What you are working toward is making it easier by lowering the slope to enhance the opportunity to have that equal playing field for those who follow in your path. When you enter the meeting, conference or board room, it is important to have always prepared in advance -- this will place you on the uphill slope.

Dorothy Perrin Moore, Ph.D., is professor emerita of business and entrepreneurship at The Citadel.

The Job Coaches are experienced volunteers from the Center for Women's Job Counseling Program. Ask them a question by calling 763-7333 or e-mailing info@c4women.org. If you would like further assistance, make an appointment; a donation of $10 is requested for appointments.