Women in leadership: boardroom barriers and how to address them

Getting more women into the senior executive pipeline remains a considerable challenge. It begins with identifying the barriers and then addressing them. Here’s how it’s done by boards and aspiring leaders.

The barriers

When it comes to robust decision-making and organizational success, two main causes of failure are often observed in boards:

Lack of diversity of thought

What truly matters in boardrooms is not simply gender diversity, but diversity of thought – lacking it can lead to catastrophic decisions. The most effective boards demonstrate real diversity of thought and celebrate diversity.

Lack of psychological safety

When board members feel unable to speak truth to power or challenge ideas, it can also be extremely detrimental to an organization’s health and performance.

Boards: 7 steps to overcoming the barriers

The following processes can help advance women in leadership:

Identify talented women early in their careers.
Raise their aspirations.
Develop targeted skill-building opportunities and strong support systems.
Provide flexible onboarding programs and maternity leave.
Establish mentoring and role-modeling initiatives.
Identify and address conscious and unconscious biases.
Put effective performance metrics in place to ensure fair evaluation.

Leaders: 5 ways to make progress

The following behaviors will help individuals surmount the barriers:

1. Lead through impact

True leadership is about impact, not position, and transcends authority. Effective leadership stems from vision, action, and the ability to inspire others. It’s possible to lead and create significant change even without formal authority or titles.

2. Persist

When breaking through the glass ceiling in corporate settings, persistence and resilience are key. The ability to maintain focus and energy in the face of challenges is a hallmark of effective leadership.

3. Adopt a mindset of continuous learning and adaptability

A learning mindset and agility are crucial. The ability to innovate, experiment, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances is what sets successful leaders apart.

4. Lead by example

Leading by example is essential. It builds credibility, inspires others, and creates a culture of shared responsibility and commitment.

Key takeaway

By addressing the challenges head-on and leveraging the unique skills that women bring to leadership roles, organizations can build more resilient, innovative, and successful teams at all levels and maintain a healthy pipeline for the future.

Mary Meaney Haynes

Mary Meaney Haynes is a seasoned business leader serving on the boards of Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL), Syensqo, and Imperial College London. Her experience includes a career with McKinsey, as well as serving on the firm’s Shareholders Council. This diverse background provides Haynes with unique insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in leadership roles across corporate, academic, and consulting sectors.