Research & Insights
Women Rising: Embracing Progress and Paving the Way for Leadership Transformation
Given the unprecedented rise in recent weeks of women in sports and politics, it is abundantly clear that women are arriving and thriving in transformational ways. The Summer Olympics proved a tremendous milestone for women, who were 50% of the competing athletes for the first time in history. So too is the fact that for only the third time in 235 years of United States history, a woman is the chosen presidential candidate for her party; this is also the first time a Black woman and South Asian received a major party nomination.
Despite Progress, There is Work to be Done
Now, however, is not the time to let up on organized efforts to ensure women continue to rise into notable positions in leadership and sports. Women are still underrepresented in leadership roles, holding only 28% of C-suite positions. When the share of Fortune 500 companies run by women CEOs is staying flat at 10.4%, it is not a stretch to declare a stalling of change. The world needs more diverse leadership and the gender gap remains much too wide. This holds true for sports as well. While we are thrilled about the rise of women in sports, which is projected to surpass the 1 billion dollar mark this year, a “staggering 90% of sponsorships still go to men’s sports, despite men’s sports having 50% less engagement than their female counterparts.”
It is also true that differences and positional thinking abound – and it is not just about politics (a particularly hot-button issue.) We are seeing many – of all identities including women – in a heightened state of stress, burnout and reactivity. Strife isn’t an ideal playing ground for leading from your best self. While tempting, reacting or treating others with harshness is not a winning strategy.
Through our decades of work with thousands of leaders, we have been at the forefront of the changing landscape of leadership, with a focus on how best to equip women of all identities to step into their personal strengths – and recognize their own unique power as they ascend in their careers. We are very proud that Simmons University was recently selected as one of only 25 U.S. colleges and universities – and the only women-centered institution – to receive the first Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification. This new classification is a national recognition of the unique brand of leadership that we have cultivated and advanced at Simmons – which is, in fact, women-led inclusive leadership. We are more committed now than ever before to further elevate this work and invest in women leaders.
Together, We Can Equip Women to Thrive
As much as women are poised to arrive and thrive, we must not lose focus on the allies needed to equip women as they rise. The world we are trying to lead is a world where we STILL need to shatter glass ceilings. It is a world that is STILL denying that there are hurdles and barriers faced by some, not all.
The paradigm for women for far too long has been about surviving if you are lucky enough to arrive at the top. We set out to tackle this reality when we brought insight from our decades of experience working with women leaders to our book, Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership, along with our co-author, former Executive Chair of Deloitte US, Janet Foutty. It was a Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-seller within 48 hours of publication, proof that leaders in our communities want practical tools and shared wisdom from other leaders.
The 7 Practices, which form the foundation for this seminal work, are focused specifically on equipping women to thrive at all stages of their careers and in so doing, help others thrive as well.
It Starts With Us: Poised for Practice
As summer air is replaced by the crispness of fall here in New England and many of us return to work and school – we reinvite you to reflect on the incredible moments in history taking place around us – and join us on our mission to create gender parity in power and leadership. As we aim to lead inclusively to build a future where women aren’t just half of the world’s population, but comprise half of the world’s leaders, we can and will turn to one another and the practices of Arrive and Thrive® to reground each of us in our own purpose and meaning – and consider the impact that we can each have in our communities.
In the coming weeks, we will be sharing the 7 Practices from our book with you for ongoing inspiration, along with reflection questions you can use for your own personal development and with your team.
Together, let’s support one another as we continue to Arrive & Thrive in leadership and beyond.
