Closing the Global Leadership Gender Gap: Actionable Steps for Change

Closing the global leadership gap may seem an insurmountable, intractable problem for many people. However, each one of us, no matter what our role in society, can take action to close the gap. I've used my experience as a DEI and workplace gender equality strategist to lay out the steps that individuals, organisations and legislators must take to close what is, effectively, the global unfairness gap.

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The Gender Gap Facts

Women make up more than half of the world's population. Still, they experience higher unemployment rates than men, more often experience substandard working conditions than men and hold only a fraction of leadership positions. Women are outnumbered by men in leadership positions, particularly in industries such as Manufacturing, Agriculture, Supply Chain and Mining, where the representation of women is as low as 16%. Progress towards gender equality has stagnated and, at the current rate of change, will take another 135 years to close, according to the World Economic Forum.

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Many factors contribute to the global leadership gender gap, including:

• Systemic barriers: A lack of robust policies and practices to support women throughout the employment lifecycle, e.g. recruitment, retention, performance management processes, promotions, talent identification and identification of high potentials, succession planning, training and development, resignations, key performance indicators for managers and remuneration.
• Mindsets: mindsets, or unexamined beliefs about the role of women in society, work, leadership, and power, often result in gendered talent-related decisions that create barriers for women.‍
• Skill sets: Women must gain or effectively demonstrate the critical skills of business, strategic and financial acumen essential for leadership positions. 

How to Close the Leadership Gender Gap

Closing the global leadership gender gap will require a concerted effort from individuals, organisations, and governments.  

• Individuals: Women can take steps to develop and demonstrate their business, strategic and financial acumen, and they must advocate for themselves to receive coaching, mentoring and development that matters.
• Organisations: Organisations must create more inclusive workplaces that support women's advancement. Developing and implementing a workplace gender equality strategy that includes building DEI accountability and skill sets in leaders is the minimum level of action required.   
• Governments: Governments must legislate for workplace gender equality. Legislation must include minimum standards for promoting and improving workplace gender equality.  

The global leadership gender gap is a complex problem that we can all take action on. Working individually and collectively can create a more equitable world where women have the same opportunities to lead as men.

What Else?

• The importance of role models: Women who see other relatable women in leadership positions will have confidence that they can ascend similarly into leadership. Organisations can create more role models for women by sponsoring women's leadership programs,  promoting women to visible leadership positions and ensuring that an intersectional gender lens is applied to talent decisions.
• The need for data: Facts and data are essential to identify areas where more work needs to be done and that tailored solutions are designed. What gets measured gets managed, so organisational leaders must collect data on the representation of women in leadership positions and track the progress of any initiatives designed to advance more women into leadership positions.  

Closing the global leadership gender gap is an essential goal for society. By working together, we can create a more equitable future where women have the same opportunities to lead as men.

Actions for Individuals

• Learn about the global leadership gender gap. The more you know about the problem, the more you can do to help solve it.
• Advocate for women in leadership. Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues about the importance of women in leadership.
• Support organisations that are working to close the gender gap. Many organisations are working to close the gender gap. You can support their work in many ways, some that do not cost a cent. 
• Be an Ally in everyday life to women.

Every little bit helps. Because together, we can close the global leadership gender gap. 

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