Lead-HER-Ship

Posts Tagged ‘work/life balance’

Saturday, 18 women gathered at a home perched atop a hill in rural San Diego County.  Hawks soared above the boulders, and distant Palomar Mountain crouched in the hazy distance. In Her Own Voice™ retreat began with the soothing voice of Shaina Noll singing, “Where I sit is Holy.”

And indeed, it was a day to be holy and whole. Strangers became friends and friendships became deeper. We led them on a process of reflection, journaling, and  dialogue.  They were a gift to us in their openness, their curiosity, and their willingness to flow together throughout the day.  Amazing to find 18 business women eager to leave behind the demands of home and work and gather.

In the end, I realized that the misspelled text from my colleague Eunice actually foreshadowed the day’s result.   She had texted me, asking that I pick up three bags of life. Now, we all have made errors on our smart phones. Whatever did she want: lice, like, lime????  Turns out, she wanted three bags of ice!

She got the ice. And we all walked away with three bags of life: our one, sweet precious life that is called to make its unique contribution in the world.

A lovely day.

I get daily updates on any news that comes out related to leadership and women. Today, this release caused more than a pause.

According to research from Opportunity Now,  balancing work and family responsibilities is the biggest barrier women face to getting senior jobs.

The study, which questioned over 850 line managers about female progression in the workplace, found that 82% of women believe combining work and family life is their biggest barrier, with childcare listed as another key obstacle. Male line managers are far less likely to recognize any barriers to gender diversity and women’s progression, according to the study.

The organization has found little change in perceptions since similar research was carried out in 2005. Based in the UK, Opportunity Now is a membership organization of employers committed to creating an inclusive workplace for women.

My question about this appalling statistic is this: What does research in the United States say is the biggest barrier for entry for women in senior level job?

According to Catalyst in a 2009 article, the women respondents in a survey stated that the top five barriers to advancement are:

• Lack of significant general management or line experience (47%)
• Exclusion from informal networks (41%)
• Stereotyping and preconceptions of women’s roles and abilities (33%)
• Failure of senior leadership to assume accountability for women’s advancement (29%)
• Commitment to personal/family responsibilities (26%)

This report indicates that mentoring, sponsorship, stretch assignments, and ability to penetrate male networks are potential solutions for advancement.  Thankfully, we will not have to forgo our families.

What have been your observations regarding the inclusion of women in senior roles?

This June, Boston College Center for Work and Family released a study that new dads are seeking an active role in parenting PLUS working. However, while women have gained legitimacy in these intertwined lives, men now struggle to gain acceptance. Flex arrangements appear to be more acceptable for women than for men.

For new dads, the study underscores a shift. They do not equate being a good father with the role of “the breadwinner,” but with “being there, being present, spending time and being accessible.”

In small but significant way, PAMPERS has started advertising its diapers to fathers, hosting a “Daddy Play Date” in Manhattan with celebrity fathers like the singer Joel Madden and the actor Gilles Marini and about 100 guests, who played carnival games with their toddlers. According to an invitation, “the event was to pay homage to dads on diaper duty.”

Now if we can get the Equal Pay Act to live up to its name, equity will hit home and office front.