Women in Leadership: Preconceptions, Struggles and Perseverance

“Society has the ability to view us equally, yet we’re not being treated equally.

The reason why I care about this so strongly is that I don’t really think that I grew up being taught to be a feminist, how to advocate for this and how to support it.

I think that’s because of traits I have that aren’t considered particularly feminine - I’m very direct, for example, but that meant I did very well in male-dominated environments like investment banking. I saw it as I managed to survive in an environment that many others couldn’t, but as I matured, I’m embarrassed that I didn’t see the problem that society faces, and now I very much am a feminist”.

The preconceptions and stereotypes about women’s abilities, coupled with the struggles they face in the workplace, often lead to a lack of women in leadership positions. 

However, women continue to persevere and break through barriers, paving the way for future generations of female leaders.

In our latest webinar with Molly Johnson-Jones, CEO and co-founder of Flexa, Francesca Warner (known as Check), one of Ada Ventures founding partners and Hanna Smith, Director of People at Paddle, we talk about the biggest barriers to gender equality and diversity in senior positions, how this affects hiring, retention and business performance alongside what companies can do to influence change. 

The preconceptions and stereotypes of women in leadership

One of the main preconceptions about women in leadership is that they are less competent than men. Yep, still. 

This stereotype stems from a gender bias ingrained in society for generations. As a result, women in leadership positions may be perceived as less decisive or less effective than their male counterparts.

“Years on, why are we still having that conversation? And why is it still such a thing? We shouldn’t have to justify our existence or our positions in leadership. Our emotions should not be questioned, our passion should not be questioned, and we shouldn’t have to push against that glass ceiling. 

For me, it's about creating a future where our children can have that equality, where it’s not just female equality or male equality. It is true equality. 

That is my utopia. And that's why I do what I do”.

Struggles in the workplace

“The key drivers are historic bias which is completely embedded in every single touchpoint from when we are at school all the way through to University and through each point of progressions”.

Perseverance and breaking barriers

Despite these challenges, women continue to break through barriers and make strides in leadership roles. Women in leadership positions are not only achieving success but are inspiring future generations of female leaders. Women in leadership positions are now more visible and vocal than ever before, making it easier for young women to envision themselves in those roles too.

Empowering women in leadership through flexible working

“I’m so passionate about the normalisation of flexibility, I didn’t want to justify why I needed flexibility, but I felt like my reason – sometimes not being able to walk because of my Autoimmune disease – wasn't enough compared to, for example, women that have children.

That’s why normalising flexibility is so important that no matter your reason and whether you want to share that, you can still access a flexible working environment where you can thrive”.

Flexible working includes working arrangements such as part-time work, job-sharing, remote working, and flexible hours. They allow women to balance their work and family commitments, which can be particularly important for women who still carry the majority of the responsibility of raising children and caring for elderly relatives.

Studies have shown that flexible working can positively impact women's career progression and benefit businesses. For example, a UK government report found that women working part-time are more likely to progress into managerial roles than those who work full-time. Similarly, research by McKinsey & Company found that companies with more diverse leadership teams are more likely to outperform their peers financially.

Despite the benefits of flexible working, there can still be challenges for women in leadership roles if the whole company doesn't commit to a flexible environment. For example, women may be perceived as less committed or capable if they work part-time or have flexible working arrangements. They may also need help from senior leaders to tackle unconscious bias or a lack of support.

“Women should be supporting and uplifting one another, and companies should be fostering a culture where women feel that there is enough room at the top without feeling like they need to compete with one another”.

The preconceptions, struggles, and perseverance of women in leadership positions illustrate the complex and nuanced issues that must be addressed to achieve gender equality in the workforce.