A lack of commitment by chief executives is slowing down the advancement of women in business, a new Canadian study reveals.
Chief Executive Commitment: The Key To Enhancing Women’s Advancement — released last week by the Conference Board of Canada — suggests a gap between the leadership expectations of executive women and the actions and behaviour of business leaders.
The study is the first comprehensive Canadian review of chief executive commitment to gender diversity.
“Progress for women executives will continue to be slow without chief executive commitment and intentional action,” said Barbara Orser, report author.
“Our survey suggests that only 36 per cent of CEOs demonstrated a personally active, involved commitment to fostering gender diversity. More than 40 per cent express their support, but take no personal action.
Women executives still aren’t convinced about executive team commitment to their advancement.”
The majority of chief executives do not use their leadership capacity to effect change for women in their organizations, Orser said.
The report shows business leaders need a better understanding of the kind of action women need — a dedication to go beyond good intentions to show real “executive commitment.”
The study is part of the Gender Diversity Tool Kit, which is being developed to inform executives about effective ways to address barriers to the development, retention and advancement of Canadian women.
Earlier research by the Conference Board’s Centre of Excellence for Women’s Advancement revealed a significant gap between the perceptions that senior female managers and chief executive officers have about the progress and advancement of women in Canadian organizations.
