How to put more women in leadership

M.L. Hanson //April 15, 2015//

How to put more women in leadership

M.L. Hanson //April 15, 2015//

Lakshmi Puri recently told the United Nations that gender equality is “humanity’s biggest project.” In the U.S., Women comprise about 47 percent of the total workforce but hold only 14 percent of senior executive positions and 17 percent of board seats.

It is important to maintain focus on the essential role that women occupying more leadership positions plays in making the U.S. and the world a better place to work and live. Recent studies have shown that companies with the highest percentage of women on their Board of Directors achieve significantly higher returns on equity, sales and invested capital.

Here are three steps organizations, leaders and Colorado women alike can take to work toward getting more women in leadership roles:

Seek Out or Create Mentoring Opportunities

With so few women currently in leadership, a lack of role models for younger generations makes increasing the number of women in management roles a challenge. Local organizations like the Women’s Leadership Foundation are working to improve the performance of corporate and nonprofit organizations by recruiting, training and placing more women in director roles. Part of the organization’s Corporate Board Bound program pairs corporate directors with perspective board members.

Advocacy From Leadership

Bringing gender equality in the workplace is not just a concern for women. The local and global economy benefit when more women join the workforce. Which is why leaders, both and men and women, can increase the number of women in leadership by acting as advocates for the programs and policies that aid working women.

Better Childcare Programs

Colorado is the fifth least-affordable state in the nation when it comes to the cost of childcare.  Women typically have more family responsibilities than men, making access to quality childcare imperative, yet it is increasingly more difficult to find affordable, quality care.  Better, cost effective childcare programs can help alleviate some of the financial burden families feel because of the high costs.