This article questions why there is a lack of women board members in many companies and why women are essential for a company’s success. First, it pointed out that women make up more than half of the workforce. So to exclude women from the board can mean that the company may not be seen as a place that welcomes women at all. In turn, that has a direct effect on the company's competitiveness. Second, women are decision makers. Women have a perspective that can alter the development of a product or a service. Put women in executive roles and board positions and you can see how their perspectives may open new markets. Lastly, a woman joining a board of directors can have an effect on the men. They will be less likely to make sexist remarks and jokes. Shirley M. Hufstedler, an experienced corporate board member, observed that female board members usually understand, better than men, how to appeal to women as consumers and as employees. Also, because women are acculturated differently from men, they tend to listen more and see problems and solutions differently from their male colleagues. She feels in many ways this expands and enhances board discussion and deliberation.
Perhaps all of this is due to the fact that women tend to be more transformational leaders than men are. They are very attentive to others needs and they can motivate others to transcend their own self-interests for the good of the team or organization. This is a very effective form of leadership and can yield great outcomes. Most women have strong ideals and are very competent, and those are important qualities to have as a transformational leader.
The bottom line of this article is that companies with more women in executive positions tend to have higher profits. In fact, a study done by Roy Adler showed that "the companies with the highest percentages of female executives delivered earnings far in excess of the median for other large firms in their industries." In your opinion, do you feel that more women in the board room can lead to better innovation and success for a company?
Posted by: Amanda Goetz
http://www.nytimes.com/external/readwriteweb/2011/03/31/31readwriteweb-why-more-women-in-the-board-room-is-essenti-91468.html
I think this is a very good topic to bring up. I did not realize that there was such a lack of women in board rooms. In regards to the success and profits of a company when women are involved, it makes me wonder why there aren't more women present. There should potentially be an even split of men and women in order to represent both sides of the consumers and employees. Having the voices of both men and women could potentially increase profits even higher. Who knows, just having more insight from women could raise a whole new area of issues that the men have never addressed in the board room before.
ReplyDeletePosted By: Laura Whisenhunt
Yes, I believe it can. Research has shown that women are smarter than men. Good integrating conflict can arise when you have two different angles to an issue. With research showing that company's profits are much higher with more women in the board room, I think it would be a good idea for companies to examine the idea at closer detail.
ReplyDeletePosted by: Aaron Barton
Yes, I believe more women in the board room can lead to innovation and success for a company. Women are known to be more nurturing and empathetic than men when taking on leadership roles. This can give women the power to more easily put themselves in stakeholders' shoes and see things from a different perspective, creating more room for innovation.
ReplyDeletePosted By: Christine Burklin
I really enjoyed reading your post Amanda. I believe that women in a board room can be beneficial. They bring different perspectives to the table and can create more diversity within the group. And I also agree that having transformational leaders in the board room can help the organization, especially since more women tend to exhibit this leadership style. Women can create motivation for the group to make decisions that are in the best interest of both parties, rather than just one.
ReplyDeleteAnd to answer your question, yes I believe that more women in the board room will lead to better innovation and success. There is no difference between the ability of a man or a woman when comparing leadership capabilities.
Posted by: Genise Logston