The unbreakable glass ceiling
by Jane Sissons
Many may brag that New Zealand has it’s fair share of women in power, but reality has a rather different take on things.
In 2007, women in New Zealand are still struggling to break the “concrete-hard” glass ceiling.
Surveys by the National Business Review state that New Zealand is ranked tenth in the world with women holding 24 per cent of management positions.
Management theorist, Vicki Jayne says, “It’s not that the country lacks female talent, it is because businesses seem to lack the will to create an environment that encourages female participation at senior levels.”
Ms Jayne also states that the techniques employed by many female leaders, such as encouraging participation and enhancing self worth on others, are assets in today’s fast-changing world.
When entering a male dominated world of leadership, women’s techniques in the workplace are being constantly criticized.
Dr Judy Rosner, a Management Professor at Auckland University says that this is because of a “culture clash”, as women are challenging the dominant male culture in organisations, trying to be inclusive rather than exclusive, and introducing female values.
Theresa Gattung, former CEO of Telecom stated, “People think that I’m good because I have all these good blokes around me. But who got them? Who leads them? Who motivates them?”
The concrete glass ceiling is also reflected by the pay parity issues.
According to Statistics New Zealand, men’s incomes are 20 per cent higher than women’s.
Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Judy McGregor states “It is worse in the health sector as many men are being paid up to 71 per cent more than women.”
Rosner states that companies will benefit by expanding to include the female leadership style.
Therefore, men and women will have to work together to invent and accept new roles, by valuing gender differences and seeing them as a resource, not a problem.
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