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Women’s Leadership Landscape: 4 Reasons Why We Can’t Wait Until 2085

Updated: Mar 22, 2020

Yes, women are making progress in the business, but that progress continues to be slow. Too slow. In a recent study conducted by the Center for American Progress, the role of women in the leadership landscape lags well behind other business trends.

In the United States, women represent 50.8 percent of the population and hold 52 percent of what are typically considered “professional-level jobs”. However, women continue to be dramatically underrepresented in senior leadership roles.

“In fact, it’s now estimated that, at the current rate of change, it will take until 2085 for women to reach parity with men in leadership roles in our country.” ~Judith Warner, Senior Fellow – Center for American Progress

Wow, if that’s how long it will take to gain parity with men in leadership roles in the US, how long it will take in rest of the world? You may be surprised to learn that many parts of the world are more progressive, with a much higher percentage of women in leadership positions across a wide range of industries. And they are generating results while the U.S. is left behind.

Why am I sharing this? And why should both women and men consider this alarming?

“Common sense is not that common” ~ Mike Haynes, Hall of Fame NFL Player

Consider this:

1. Board Room – It’s been proven over and over that more women on corporate boards would make America and American companies – especially the Fortune 500 – more competitive and profitable. Women are not “pretty things”. They are a highly educated, capable workforce that can (and do) make a tremendous impact. In fact, women have outnumbered men on college campuses since 1988.

C-Suite, what are you still waiting for? It’s time to play a pro game starting in 2015 – we have a lot to catch up on!

“Forget China, India and the Internet: economic growth is driven by women.”~ The Economist

2. Locker Room – It is a tremendous game changer! “Women made up 44% of Olympic competitors at London 2012 – the greatest show of gender equality in Olympic history. By comparison, in the 1908 Games men outnumbered women 53 to 1.” ~ Donna de Varona, Olympic champion and former President, Women’s Sports Foundation

Besides these exceptional results, Beth Brooke, Global Vice Chair of Public Policy at Ernst & Young recognizes the power of women athletes and their worldwide financial impact. She’s not alone.

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand (and creates) hope where once there was only despair.” ~ Nelson Mandela

3. Congressional and Legislative Seats – Regardless of party or affiliation, women in politics have offered refreshing and thoughtful insights into the future direction of the country.

“We know that when women participate fully in their governments and economies, they and their families benefit, but so do their communities, their countries, and even the world as a whole. “ ~ Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

4. Executive and Leadership Seats – Women’s leadership gap is higher than ever. However, it is so refreshing to see more and more men on the mission to change the statistical landscape by taking massive action. A great example is the Female Leadership Organization (FLO) based in South Africa.

It’s aim:To increase Female Leadership in the world to 40% by the year 2020!

In the end, it is more than obvious that we need a different approach in order to generate different results. Einstein was right… It is insanity to expect different outcomes if you are consistently coming from a same point of view by doing same things over and over.

Let us make 2015 the year that counts; a year that has the meaning and depth needed to foster the necessary impact of what is possible.