After three decades navigating corporate leadership from London’s trading floors to Swiss boardrooms, I’ve discovered why breaking the glass ceiling isn’t enough for smart women (or men)!
If you prefer to listen rather than read:
The Numbers Tell Only Half the Story
Recent statistics show 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEOs are now women – a record high in 2024.
McKinsey reports that for every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager, only 87 women make the same climb. By senior management, the ratio drops to 82 women for every 100 men. At the C-suite level? Just 74 women!
And although female workers typically outperform their male counterparts, men are more likely to get promoted, research by Kelly Shue, a professor of finance at Yale School of Management shows.
All these numbers reveal a pattern, but they hide a more profound truth.
Through my journey working across more than 125 countries and multiple industries, I’ve uncovered seven essential truths that every smart woman (and man!) needs to know about getting to the power at the top.
I’ll be sharing them in a Masterclass this coming Sunday; sign up to learn more.
1. Visibility Is a Double-Edged Sword
When one of my bosses stuttered and physically trembled during our meetings together, it wasn’t weakness – it was fear. And I was lucky enough to recognise this and adapt my behaviour.
Korn Ferry research shows that senior management, including CEOs (71%) and other senior executives (65%) are more likely than early-stage professionals (33%) to exhibit signs of imposter syndrome.
However, what’s rarely discussed is how this manifests as aggression toward rising women leaders, as my experience clearly showed.
The Harvard Business Review found that women leaders are 1.4 times more likely to be dismissed for mistakes and twice as likely to be criticised for their communication style.
Yet paradoxically, being invisible isn’t the answer either.
Strategic visibility requires understanding the delicate balance between presence and power.
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, the lead scientist behind the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, navigated intense scrutiny and bias in the STEM field. Her strategic visibility and unwavering expertise not only advanced her career but also made significant scientific contributions that saved lives.
Key Takeaway: Strategically increase your visibility by volunteering for high-impact projects that align with your strengths and career goals.
2. Power Fears What It Can’t Control
In another position, my assistant was encouraged to spy on me and report my actions back to my boss.
When she confessed it to me, but only because the promised promotion didn’t happen, conventional wisdom suggests that I should try to rebuild trust.
Instead, I chose to professionally distance myself. We continued to collaborate but from then onwards, I only shared necessary information with her.
According to the Workplace Institute, 45% of damaged workplace relationships never recover, and attempting forced reconciliation often decreases productivity by 32%.
Modern power dynamics research shows:
- 67% of women leaders face covert surveillance
- 58% experience subtle undermining from peers
- 73% report indirect challenges to their authority
So, thanks to my research, I later learned, to my surprise, that my experiences were far from unique.
The solution for any woman in this situation isn’t to fight fear with fear but to understand it.
Smart women recognise that others’ fear often signals that they are, in fact, on the right path.
But I appreciate that this doesn’t make it any easier to manage.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization, has faced numerous challenges in a predominantly male international arena. Her ability to maintain professional distance and assert authority has been pivotal in her success, illustrating how understanding and navigating fear can lead to impactful leadership.
Key Takeaway: Recognize that others’ fear can indicate your positive impact. Maintain professionalism and assertiveness to navigate these dynamics effectively.
3. Ethical Industries Aren’t Always Ethical
A counter-intuitive truth I found over my career is that tobacco has more ethical leadership than food and beverages.
Deloitte’s 2023 Ethics Survey confirms what I personally discovered: that industries under scrutiny often develop more robust ethical frameworks.
My experience showed:
– More women in senior positions in “controversial” industries
– Clearer advancement paths
– More transparent decision-making
– Stronger merit-based promotion systems
Smart women look beyond industry reputations to actual leadership cultures.
A recent LinkedIn study found that women who switched to traditionally “controversial” industries reported 45% higher job satisfaction and 37% faster career advancement.
Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors, transformed an industry traditionally dominated by men by fostering a culture of inclusivity and ethical leadership.
Funke Opeke, Founder of MainOne in West Africa, built a high-capacity internet backbone in a region with limited tech infrastructure, demonstrating ethical leadership in a challenging environment.
Key Takeaway: Evaluate leadership culture over industry reputation. Seek environments with transparent and merit-based advancement systems.
4. Fear Masquerades as Authority
That trembling boss I once had? His fear manifested as my exclusion from key meetings and a gradual reduction of responsibilities.
A Harvard Business Review research shows that 76% of women who left senior positions cited poor leadership dynamics as the primary factor.
Signs of fear-based leadership include:
– Micromanagement of successful team members
– Excluding high performers from key decisions
– Taking credit for subordinates’ work
– Physical manifestations of discomfort
Understanding these dynamics helps smart women navigate around fear rather than confronting it directly.
Rana Ayyub, an investigative journalist, faced exclusion and undermining in her efforts to report on corruption. By recognizing these tactics as fear-based authority, she strategically navigated the hostile environment to bring critical issues to light.
Key Takeaway: Identify fear-based leadership tactics and strategically navigate around them to maintain your influence and effectiveness.
If you too are facing any of these challenges then book a Business Makeover Session so we can discuss the numerous solutions available to you.
5. Inaction Is a Decision
Waiting cost me emotionally and professionally.
Gallup reports 70% of employees who voluntarily left their positions in 2023 had recognised leadership issues months or years before departing.
The cost of waiting:
– Lost opportunities for strategic moves
– Decreased confidence and performance
– Emotional drain and stress
– Narrowed options for the next steps
Key Takeaway: Smart women don’t wait for situations to improve – they recognise that hope isn’t a strategy.
6. Boundaries Outperform Bridges
In today’s corporate environment, maintaining professional distance often proves more valuable than forced relationships.
Recent studies show that leaders who maintain clear boundaries advance 43% faster than those who prioritise popularity.
Effective boundary-setting includes:
– Clear communication of expectations
– Consistent professional behaviour
– Strategic relationship management
– Emotional intelligence in conflict situations
I made the mistake of trying to be a boss and friend to my team, which was not fully achieved, although I have kept in close contact with most members of my various teams over the year.
Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX didn’t make such a mistake. She maintains clear professional boundaries while fostering strong team dynamics, enabling her to lead effectively in a high-pressure, male-dominated industry.
Key Takeaway: Build strategic alliances based on empathy and career opportunities. Keep work professional.
7. The Real Deception
Here’s something else smart women need to know.
The ceiling isn’t your primary barrier.
Success requires understanding that every step of the climb happens on a ladder made of glass – where power plays are visible from every angle, and each rung requires careful navigation.
McKinsey’s latest research reveals:
– 63% of women in senior positions report experiencing leadership anxiety from their superiors
– 72% have encountered professional sabotage during their career
– Only 34% feel confident about navigating power dynamics
Key Takeaway: Watch every step of your progression and prepare for what’s coming. Don’t just keep your eye on the prize because there are many other prizes waiting for you on your journey to the top.
The Path Forward
Understanding the above truths is just the beginning.
Smart women (and men) need practical strategies to transform these insights into action.
In my keynote talk, which would benefit all companies and all industries, not just those facing gender biases, I share a unique framework which provides smart women-and men- with:
- How to read and respond to power dynamics
- Ways to build effective professional boundaries
- Methods for converting setbacks into strategic advantages
- Techniques for developing your own power navigation toolkit
- Strategic visibility management
- Career navigation tools
- And much, much more.
Don’t wait! Book a call for us to discuss whether my complete career frameworks can turn challenges into opportunities, and help you to discover the right approach for where you are in your organisation today.
