Women Make Up Only 23% Of Talent Pools At Top-Performing Organizations

Despite significant progress in gender diversity over the last few decades, women still face unique challenges in reaching leadership and executive positions. Securing a seat at the table as a woman is not just about breaking glass ceilings – it’s about asserting one's worth and leadership capabilities to make a genuine difference in your company and the people it serves.

There is still a significant gap in the number of female leaders versus male leaders in these organizations. Women make up only 23% of high-potential pools at top-performing organizations, according to a recent study from DDI World. That same study found that only 14% of women hold leadership positions in underperforming organizations. Let’s look at ways women can secure their worth and position as they move up the corporate ladder.

Establishing Credibility

The journey to securing your worth begins long before you sit at the table. “Building and establishing yourself as a credible professional in your field involves not only excelling in your current roles but also ensuring that your contributions are recognized,” says Cynthia Electra Stavrakis, who was recently the first woman to be promoted to partner at her law firm Golkow Hessel. “Women executives, specifically attorneys in my experience, can sometimes struggle with self-promotion due to societal conditioning or fear of backlash. However, showcasing your achievements is crucial for consideration for leadership positions,” says Stavrakis.

One effective strategy for building credibility is to take on high-visibility cases or projects. “By being meticulously prepared and paying attention to every detail, you create trust with your clients. This dedication not only earns their confidence but also ensures that peers recognize your skills and support your advancement,” Stavrakis explains.

Building Strategic Relationships

Building a broad and supportive network can open doors to otherwise inaccessible opportunities. For women aiming for the boardroom, it is vital to cultivate relationships with influential figures within and outside the organization. While men might be given these opportunities, women often need to seek them out independently. “Compared with women who work on-site, men are seven to nine percentage points more likely to be “in the know,” receive the mentorship and sponsorships they need, and have their accomplishments noticed and rewarded,” says Emily Field. As a result, it’s often necessary for women to find their mentors and support networks rather than waiting for their organizations to provide them.

“Look for mentors and sponsors who have a seat at the table where decisions are made,” adds Stavrakis. “You want to forge good relationships with people who will say positive things about you when you aren’t around.”

"Creating opportunities for female-led businesses requires a fundamental shift in how we approach entrepreneurship and community. I meet brands and companies at events all the time and while there is always an outward air of ‘lets collaborate’ or ‘let me know how I can support you’, it often ends there. Despite wanting to support each other, we all live in fear that there isn’t enough money or customers for all of us. Which isn’t true. Instead of competing, women should support each other without fear that someone else’s success will outshine or inhibit their own, building on each other's potential and growth. By fostering environments of positivity and collaboration, we can elevate more women to leadership positions and drive innovation in these industries. Some of the biggest wins I have had were because other female founders helped me and it has never taken away from their success or growth. We can rise to the top together if after each stair we climb, we reach back and bring someone with us,” says Allison Ullo, CEO and Founder of Leaves of Leisure, a luxury tea brand.

Navigating Leadership Dynamics

Once you have reached your desired level, whether as an executive, partner, or board member, you’ll need to understand and navigate its dynamics. Boardrooms can be competitive, with high-stakes decision-making and complex interpersonal interactions. Women must be prepared to assert their perspectives and influence discussions effectively.

Some research suggests that women must take a balanced approach to communicating whether they are speaking to a judge or jury or on corporate boards. “Walking a fine line between expressing competence and warmth on corporate boards presented unique challenges for the women we interviewed. Unlike working inside of a company, boards meet infrequently, all decisions are high stakes, and the breadth of knowledge needed to advise at the board level supersede one person’s level of expertise,” say Tiffany Trzebiatowski, Courtney L. McCluney, and Morela Hernandez for The Harvard Business Review.

Opportunities And Challenges

Being one of the few women in a leadership position can present a unique opportunity to advocate for more inclusivity and collaboration. “Women can collaborate and partner with other female entrepreneurs, sharing resources, expertise, and networks to mutually support and uplift each other's businesses,” says Tabatha Rowbatham, Co-Founder and COO of Twinning Pros, a website design and SEO agency.

“As a woman pursuing a leadership role, you must be resilient. You can’t give up the first time you hear ‘no.’ You have to keep growing by learning from your failures to keep fighting for your rightful seat at the head of the table,” Stavrakis emphasizes.

“Because women have and will continue to gain massive economic power and influence in various sectors including their spending patterns, investment choices, business ownership, and workforce participation. Women influence up to 80% of all consumer spending. In 2024, more single women are home owners compared to single men. By 2030, American women are set to inherit 30 trillion dollars as part of the greatest generational wealth transfer the modern world has ever seen. More women are graduating from college than men. Women are starting new businesses at the fastest rate we have ever seen. Companies that don’t have an authentic strategy for engaging women in business risk falling behind,” says Thamina Stoll, Founder of The Sheconomist, a women’s economic advancement media company.

Securing and maintaining a leadership position as a woman requires hard skills, strategic relationship-building, and personal resilience to overcome biases. The journey is demanding but immensely rewarding, with the potential to influence critical decisions and drive meaningful change within organizations and industries.

Stoll adds, “With the potential to control two-thirds of the consumer wealth in the next decade, the female economy is a dominant market segment that no business can afford to ignore.”