Women in leadership roles

The UK economy needs two million new managers for it to achieve its predicted growth.

Women could contribute to filling the gap in leadership skills.  The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has launched CMI Women with the aim of achieving gender equality and to help employers to unlock more value in the UK’s workforce.

In many organisations women outnumber the men at junior levels yet the CMI’s 2016 National Management Salary survey shows just 43% of management roles are held by women.  1.5 million new female managers are needed by 2024 to achieve a 50/50 split between men and women.

CMI Women has launched a Blueprint for Balance to help organisations achieve 50/50 management.

The 6 areas it focuses on are;

1. balanced recruitment,
2. flexible working,
3. mentoring and sponsorship,
4. pay and rewards,
5. promoting leadership equality,
6. skills and  career development.

Flexible working is an obvious action area with child care still not being equal between parents.  In a vote by the public, the top action area is mentoring and sponsorship.  In my experience women are less confident of their skills and abilities than men so they are less likely to promote themselves.  This can lead to them being overlooked when a new manager is required.  I think women recognise this and are asking for some help.  The astute leader will recognise the potential value in their female team members and seek to grow both their confidence and skills.

A mindful leader is someone who embodies leadership presence by cultivating focus, clarity, creativity and compassion to reach common goals that maximize the well being of all stakeholders.

By practising mindful leadership, the as yet unrealized potential in women could contribute to UK’s increased business performance and growth.