IWD 2024: Businesses urged to retain women in leadership roles

As International Women's Day approaches, businesses and organisations are being urged to consider adopting four key approaches to support and retain women in leadership roles.

FDM Group, a global business and technology consultancy, has offered integral advice to help businesses address and solve some of the key challenges faced by women in leadership, now and in the future.

In the current arena, women persistently encounter unique challenges and hidden gender barriers. They remain underrepresented in senior positions compared to male counterparts, a fact which could negatively impact not just the gender dynamics, but also the overall business and economic success of an organisation.

To reap the full advantages of a diverse leadership team, businesses must properly tackle the obstacles that female leaders face at work, the group said. If these issues remain unaddressed, a company may fail to reap the benefits of having an assorted leadership team.

Identifying specific issues, FDM Group drew attention to societal norms and expectations which often confine women to predetermined roles. Overcoming deeply ingrained societal stereotypes is crucial for empowering women to pursue and thrive in leadership roles. To tackle this problem, businesses should implement inclusive policies, such as flexible working arrangements, childcare options, and appropriate parental leave.

Another obstacle is unconscious gender biases, which subtly influence decision-making processes, often in favour of traditional male leadership traits. To overcome this, businesses are encouraged to foster a fair and inclusive leadership environment by offering training programmes to combat unconscious biases and challenge gender stereotypes.

FDM Group also highlighted the issue of women having limited access to high-impact opportunities. This lack of access limits their visibility, thus hindering their chances of climbing up the corporate ladder. Hence, it's essential for organisations to offer equal project assignments based on skills and performance instead of gender or favouritism. It's also beneficial for them to establish mentorship programmes, with mentors advocating for women and the visibility necessary for their career advancement.

Lastly, FDM Group flagged the underrepresentation of women and lack of mentorship as a challenge. The absence of visible figures who have successfully navigated the path to leadership could lead women to struggle conceptionalising their own trajectories. Establishing mentorship programmes, which provide a structured framework for guidance and support, is an effective move that organisations could undertake to address this issue, improve female representation, and help women navigate the intricacies of leadership with greater assurance.

FDM Group has been in operation for over 30 years and has launched nearly 25,000 careers globally. The company has more than 5,000 employees worldwide, hailing from over 90 countries. It operates from 18 centres across Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific.