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| Facilitating leadership prowess in women of high potential and impact |
The Women Matters report, based on research conducted by McKinsey & Company, concludes that more women in business are needed as an imperative for competitiveness.
The Strategic Reason
Studies suggest that companies where women are more strongly represented at board or top-management levels are also the companies that perform best. The research does not claim a causal link but it does give some insight to the benefits of a gender diverse governing body.
The Business Motivation
To adapt to the changing social and consumption trends, companies increasingly need to integrate women into their decision-making process since women now have a major influence on purchase decision. A recent survey demonstrates that women are the driving force behind 71% of household purchases and only account for 51% of the population.
How can South African benefit from a gender balanced workplace?
Research has demonstrated that interested and qualified women can best be supported by a combination of:
- exposure to ongoing training opportunities
- real-life examples of successful women
- enhanced opportunities to demonstrate their abilities;
- mastering the codes of rising through the ranks; and
- maintaining the integrity of their personal leadership style.
The Gordon Institute of Business Science has created the Leading Women programme for women’s leadership development in response to these needs and in support of talented and engaging women’s leadership in South Africa
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“The ‘anytime, anywhere’ performance model is irreconcilable with many women’s lived experience” - Women Matters report
“Recruiting women under an obligation would be disastrous” – CEO of an industrial corporation
“The first question I am asked by women students is how I manage to balance my private and professional life” – Chairwoman of a media group
“A reported 64% of women see the absence of role models as a barrier to development” Women Matters report
“Self-awareness is the primary driver of an executive’s effectiveness” – Dr. John Hausknecht, Cornell Unviersity
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