Many female executives are "getting lost in the leadership labyrinth."
No matter what you call it, the problem of gender inequality persists, but today more corporate leaders and employment consultants are offering programs to help women finally reach their goals.
Mentoring and coaching is crucial for women who need to see how others have navigated their way through the leadership labyrinth. Mentoring helped her rise to her present position, says Rosa Berg, director of the Tax Shelter Annuity Contact Center of the Minot, ND, division of ING, headquartered in Amsterdam with its main U.S. office in New York. "Four years ago, a career development manager and I looked at areas where I should further expand my skills and reached out to an individual who had those qualities to be my mentor," Ms. Berg says.
Their mentoring relationship lasted two years, during which time she provided Ms. Berg with help navigating the organization, introduced her to others and provided guidance and support. Today, Ms. Berg herself is a mentor to three ING employees.
Those efforts drew the attention of Catalyst, a New York nonprofit research and advisory organization that works to expand opportunities for women in business. ING was one of its 2008 award winners in business. Julie Nugent, Catalyst's director of research, says, "Women still face many barriers in our workplaces. We showcase organizations that have excellent women's initiatives, in hopes that they will become models of best practices that will lead to changes for women across all our businesses."
Then, perhaps, the leadership labyrinth itself will disappear and be replaced by a smooth and equal route to the top.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, June 10, 2008
While 95 percent of 2,521 American workers believe women have made important advancements in the workplace over the last ten years, 86 percent also believe that the glass ceiling is still in place, according to the Women in the Workplace survey by Harris Interactive, Rochester, NY.
For women mentoring other women, go to: www.WomanLeadership.com
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