A solution to getting more women into the C-Suite?

Hello Monday, LinkedIn! This week we talk with startup founders who are working to get more women in the C-Suite and hear from former GE exec Beth Comstock on how introverts can thrive at work. Let’s get started…

Wake Up Call

The numbers tell the story perhaps better than words: 5% of female CEOs in the S&P 500 are women while fewer than 17% of top executives are female. Meanwhile, there are more than five million women nationally who have reached the senior director level in their career.

Chief, an executive network for senior women that launched last week, strives to get those millions of senior women to the next level in their career. Modeled a bit like the Young Presidents’ Organization, a network of 25,000 predominately male CEOs, Chief is both a digital and in-person network for women at the VP level and above in their careers. Launching first in New York City, Chief is charging around $5,000 for members to gain access to the network, in-person forums, one-on-one career coaching and more.

When I spoke with Chief co-founders Carolyn Childers and Lindsay Kaplan last week, I wanted to learn why they thought this was the solution to achieving gender parity in the upper-levels of corporate America. Practically every company that I speak with is thinking about solutions in-house to get more women into senior positions. What could an outside network — that can’t influence hiring decisions — really achieve?

Their answers drew on experiences they had in their own careers. Former execs at companies like Amazon and startups like Casper and Handy, Childers and Kaplan climbed their way up the corporate ladder only to see fewer and fewer of their female peers joining them. For many women, the time that they are making great strides in their career also coincides with big changes at home with either partners or children coming into the picture as well.

“Women need to build camaraderie amongst each other,” Kaplan said. “It is great to get a business card at a conference, but that won’t help you in your career and that’s what we are trying to do.”

A recent New York Times article demonstrated that women are less likely than men to blend their personal and professional lives, said Childers. Chief aims to change that by providing women with a built-in support network. But for the millions of women around the country who don’t live in NYC and can’t join Chief just yet, what should they do?

“Remember that it is not just you. It is not your company,” Childers said. “This is a societal change that is shifting very slowly. Our advice would be to find other women and be supportive of other women and they don't need to be at your office or in your industry. Have fantastic allies that keep you focused and help drive your own personal strength. That is paramount.”

What’s Working

Should all remote meetings be on video? 43% of employed Americans spend some time working remotely. Video helps these workers by “leveling the playing field” for them while in discussion with groups who are physically in the office. [Quartz]

Tinder, but for moms? A new matchmaking service called Peanut launched in the UK last week targeting at bringing local mothers together. [GeekWire]

Good leaders are also good teachers. Alibaba’s Jack Ma recently retired as exec chairman, but only after grooming his predecessor for more than 10 years. “Why did Ma invest so much time and energy into developing Zhang?,” writes Sanyin Siang. “He wants the company to last. While any good CEO or chairperson has the next decade or so in mind, Ma isn’t thinking in decades. He’s thinking in centuries.” [LinkedIn]

‘Not going to be just one woman running’ Three women last week seemed to signal last week that they plan to run for President against Donald Trump: Senator Kamala Harris, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Senator Elizabeth Warren. [NYTimes]  

What’s Wrong?

I am a recent graduate trying to build rapport with higher-ups at [my] workplace, who also wants to network within, and grow with the company. I am also introverted, which can make that difficult. I would love to see tips, advice, etc. on how introverts can make moves within their careers that are helpful and productive, but not geared toward someone who is as outgoing as an extrovert. -- Rachel Ajack, Associate Recruiter ManPower Group

Dear Rachel,

This is a great question, and really resonates with me, because I am an introvert as well. And since business is an extrovert's arena, I had to channel my extroverted alter ego. One practice that helped me throughout my career has been to give myself small, achievable challenges on a daily basis, to help push myself forward. Asking one question or making one comment in a meeting, or introducing yourself to one person may seem like a small step to some, but was a big step for me as a reserved quiet person, and helped me prepare myself to tackle larger challenges when they came along.  

At the same time, I encourage you to work with your strengths. We introverts bring advantages to the workplace too -- we're good listeners and observers. Perhaps adopt a role where you synthesize discussions and outline actions/next steps for the team. Or follow up afterwards with the team leader offering additional suggestions. Depending on how comfortable you are with your manager or a colleague, you might ask them for some reinforcement -- perhaps to ask you a question if you're being particularly quiet in a meeting or to introduce you to someone new at an event.

-- Beth Comstock, former GE Vice Chair and Author, Imagine It Forward

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One More Thing….

Remember: "A little support goes a long way"

What's your take on this week’s stories? Share your thoughts in the comments, using the hashtag #HelloMonday.