One of the most common refrains I hear from my clients who are professional and executive women is that they aren’t being offered the proverbial “seat at the table.” In some cases, this is meant metaphorically and alludes to their wanting to be heard. Often, though, it’s meant quite literally, as they grouse about not being invited to meetings or other events they deem substantively or politically significant. This, they feel, is a huge roadblock to their being taken seriously, recognized for their contribution or given a try at the brass ring.
That this is still an issue is remarkable, really, when you consider that women enter so many professions at parity with men and actually graduate college in greater numbers. Couple that with women’s enormous purchasing power, our core strengths now deemed critical for success in the 21st century and the demonstrated benefit companies derive from women’s serving on corporate boards. It’s astounding that we’re still waiting to be asked. The result: we occupy only 17 percent of the positions at the top. Seventeen percent, across industries and even in Congress.
So, what’s happening?
Women are either not putting themselves in the mix or are bailing, that’s what. For some, it’s to do the noble work of raising a family. Some go back, some don’t — their choice. But for many others, bailing represents a real and ready escape, just at the point in their careers when they should persevere. I know. I bailed. But why?
After awhile, the frustration of not getting the seat, and more to the point, of not dealing with what’s really in the way, simply takes its toll. Jumping ship may stop the pain but the absence of pain does not equate to a win.
The reality is that all roadblocks aren’t made of concrete or ceilings, for that matter, of glass. Are there still corporate cultures and mores that make life more challenging and difficult for professional women? You bet. But those challenges are more easily overcome — with intention, commitment and insight— than the restrictions we place on ourselves or the insidious stereotypes we accept as our own. These are much more deep-rooted and do much to conspire against success. One of the best book titles on the subject is “It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor.” Precisely.
To illustrate just this point Tory Johnson, CEO of Women For Hire, used a powerful and effective bit of keynote theater that so busted the attendees of last fall’s Texas Governor’s Conference for Women. Imagine a huge conference lunch for a sea of women entrepreneurs. A very hungry and psyched-for-answers crowd. Tory approached the podium with no script and just one prop – a crisp $100 bill.
Tory wants to know who’d like the bill. Is she kidding? Hands politely pop up all around. No, she says, who REALLY wants the $100. The women put up both hands and start to stand. No, who REALLY, REALLY wants it? Now the gloves come off like at a Bergdorf’s shoe sale. One more “REALLY” and it’s bedlam, hands are waving and screams of “me, me, I do, please” — like saying please will get it done — make it seem like vintage “The Price is Right.”
At this point, it’s painful because, with each additional “really,” you can sense the crowd’s frustration, you can hear the gears grinding and feel the anxiety rising, as they practically beg Tory to give them the cash. Until one brave soul finally marches up to the podium and just takes it.
And that’s the point.
Clearly, you say, if it were that simple, we wouldn’t still have a 17 percent issue.
Companies do recognize the importance of retaining women and have implemented initiatives conducive to women’s staying such as flextime, telecommuting, emergency childcare, etc. Corporate accommodation, though, is more palliative than game-changing and does nothing to dislodge the deeply ingrained stereotypes or self-limiting behaviors. Not a problem, since it’s way past time for motivated and inspired women to shift their thinking, accept responsibility and take ownership of their own career success.
You can hope and wish and dream to be given that seat at the table or…you can just sit down. Sure beats waiting by the mailbox for the invitation.