Women in Leadership: Perceptions and Priorities for Change

Gender diversity in senior management is good for organizations: women’s presence at senior levels improves decision-making, operational and financial results, and other factors. Yet the number of women reaching these levels remains stagnant.

So how can organizations best enable women to reach senior management positions? This report examines this crucial question from four main perspectives—attitudes about women in management, opportunities for advancement, women’s advancement motivation, and women’s leadership abilities. Based on a national survey of men and women, and in-depth interviews with both emerging women leaders and women currently in the C-suite, the report highlights key enablers of women’s career advancement and provides recommendations to address barriers that remain in organizations.

This report provides a fresh perspective on the advancement of women based on the experiences of women—both those in the C-suite and those aspiring to climb the corporate ladder.