Picture this – in a corporate boardroom, amidst polished mahogany and sleek modern decor, a company’s CFO confidently takes the board members through the annual financial report. After the presentation concludes, they discuss strategic initiatives for the coming financial year and its implication on the organization’s five-year road map.

What did this picture look like in your mind? How did you picture the CFO?

If you are like 90% of the population, you would have pictured the CFO as a male. This unconscious bias reveals a pervasive stereotype deeply embedded in our societal norms – the association of leadership roles with men. This bias is not a harmless misconception; it’s a belief system ingrained in our collective psyche, particularly when it comes to certain professions, and especially leadership roles.

Consider a woman’s journey from childhood to the boardroom. From a young age, societal expectations subtly guide girls towards certain roles that are considered more nurturing & less assertive, relegating them to the background while their male counterparts are encouraged to shine. Consequently, many women learn to stifle their potential and curb their ambition, internalizing the notion that certain fields are not meant for them or that they will fail in that role. 

An HBR article revealed that even though women are rated better than men on 84% of key leadership capabilities, they are less likely to apply for jobs they are qualified for as compared to men. In fact, men apply for a job or promotion when they meet only 60% of the qualifications, but women apply only if they meet 100% of them.

Breaking free from these limiting beliefs require a concerted effort from organizations. They must actively provide women with opportunities that defy stereotypes, creating a culture that supports and uplifts women. It’s not merely about promoting diversity as a buzzword but fostering an environment where talents are recognized and valued. Organizations need to be the driving force behind dismantling biases, ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to grow.

In this journey towards gender equality, InspireOne’s ‘SHINE – She Inspires’ program has been designed to specifically meet this need. SHINE can help the female professionals enhance key competencies, focusing on developing a positive internal script, building a personal brand, creating an executive presence, managing emotions, networking, influencing stakeholders, and managing change. By empowering women with these skills, SHINE acts as a catalyst for breaking through barriers, enabling women to rise to their full potential in leadership roles.

As we envision CEOs, engineers, and leaders, let’s consciously break free from the mould and create a workplace where every individual, regardless of gender, can SHINE.

Sources

• https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/jun/12/nine-out-of-10-people-are-biased-against-women-says-alarming-un-report
• https://hbr.org/2019/06/research-women-score-higher-than-men-in-most-leadership-skills
• https://hbr.org/2014/08/why-women-dont-apply-for-jobs-unless-theyre-100-qualified