New research from the Conference Board of Canada found that just 42% of male senior executives agree that more women are needed in senior-level positions versus 90% of female senior executives.
Interestingly, the percentage of males who believe more women are needed in the senior ranks increases in inverse proportion to the hierarchical level of the males’ roles. The exact opposite was found among women respondents to the study survey.
Specifically, the following data was recorded when study participants were asked to say whether or not they agreed with the statement, “Organizations should try to increase the number of women in their senior ranks”:
- Senior Executive = 42% of men and 90% of women
- Executive = 44% of men and 77% of women
- Middle Manager = 45% of men and 65% of women
- First-level Manager = 53% of men and 64% of women
As the press release from the Conference Board of Canada explains, “Leadership opportunities, motivations and abilities are three factors that are crucial to women’s advancement. In the research, a fourth factor has emerged as even more crucial – attitudes. These attitudes can have a huge influence on the other factors. Eighty-six percent of women believe there is still a glass ceiling. While 68 per cent of women managers think that the organizations are still run by an “old-boys club”, only 43 percent of men agree.”
The video below offers some more insights into the study, and more information can be found here.
Susan Gunelius
Susan Gunelius is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Women on Business. She is a 30-year veteran of the marketing field and has authored a dozen books about marketing, branding, and social media, including the highly popular Ultimate Guide to Email Marketing, 30-Minute Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing for Dummies, Blogging All-in-One for Dummies and Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps. Susan’s marketing-related content can be found on Entrepreneur.com, Forbes.com, MSNBC.com, BusinessWeek.com, and more. Susan is President & CEO of KeySplash Creative, Inc., a marketing communications company. She has worked in corporate marketing roles and through client relationships with AT&T, HSBC, Citibank, Intuit, The New York Times, Cox Communications, and many more large and small companies around the world. Susan also speaks about marketing, branding and social media at events around the world and is frequently interviewed by television, online, radio, and print media organizations about these topics. She holds an MBA in Management and Strategy and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and is a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC).
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What an interesting post. Its crazy to believe only 42% of men believe women are needed in senior positions. Thanks for sharing!
So many men do not appreciate women’s many dimensions. These men miss the essence of where women reign supreme! It is almost impossible for men to comprehend that in very precise ways women are superior to men in range, depth, and loftiness of spirit. A man that can see women as they are is a philosopher and in very rare cases–a sage! The reward for this rare man is he can see the genius of a specific woman–which is ecstasy from any vantage point–and especially from the highest terrace of consciousness–where he can see and feel the essence of female power. And all of this is why men try to suppress women in business–an attempt that will fail in the long run. So far it is only in the arts where greater numbers of women have soared untethered — However, as a corollary–exceptional women like Susan Gunelius–are soaring to new heights in business!
Jim, thank you so much for your insightful comment!
Susan, You are welcome!
It is you who inspired this comment. When I began working with you and realized what you have accomplished as a mother, a business woman, and innovator — I recalled the deeper and more profound traits of women everywhere. My hope is women, like you, lead us to a more peaceful and productive world and that men everywhere recognize the spirit that guides you!