Dear Woman, put yourself & your career where you belong! (Because if you don’t nobody else will!) #woman on board
It’s true that today’s job market offers great opportunities for women and that more and more of them are taking up senior positions. However, barriers and new challenges are still placed in front of them, preventing them from rising above the minority – including on management and supervisory boards.
According to the EU directive, commonly referred to as “Women on Boards”, women should make up a minimum of 40% of the supervisory boards of the largest companies in the EU by 2026. This is a huge opportunity for women who want to impact strategic decisions of organizations and entire industries!
If you have experience in managerial or director-level roles and want to get on the management or supervisory board, right now is the perfect time to do it. In a world where diversity in decision-making is becoming a key asset, now is the time for you to put yourself first and discover your edge.
Why Should You Put Yourself First?
We women often forget about ourselves, putting others first. Gender Equality Index shows that about “91% of women with children spend at least an hour per day on housework, compared with 30% of men with children”. Given this unequal division of household labor, it becomes even more concerning that 57% of women in the EU are unable to adjust their working time arrangements, making it harder to balance work and domestic responsibilities. On top of that, in 2021, women earned 13% on average less per hour than men – and that gap hasn’t significantly changed in a decade. Leadership positions remain overwhelmingly male-dominated, with less than 10% of top companies’ CEOs being women. The wage gap is even starker among managers, where women earn 23% less than their male counterparts.
In addition, many of us struggle with internal limitations and beliefs that block our professional development. You probably happened to think:
- “I don’t meet all the requirements.”
- “I don’t have enough experience for such a high position.”
- “I don’t have time for development, I’m doing too many things at once.”
- “Salary is not as important to me as the work atmosphere.”
These beliefs can effectively inhibit your ambitions. A greater presence of women on boards is not only a matter of equality, but also of enriching decision-making processes with diverse perspectives, which positively impacts the entire organization. Research unequivocally shows that diverse boards achieve better financial and cultural performance.
How To Get a Seat On Board? 3 Key Steps For Ambitious Leaders
Develop Your Leadership Skills
Joining a board requires more than just great performance in your current role. It’s a combination of strategic thinking, decision-making, relationship-building or crisis resilience.
What can you do to develop your leadership skills?
- Invest in training and mentoring. Leadership programs help you gain knowledge of business strategy, management, or negotiation – competencies that are highly valued in management and supervisory boards. Our proprietary Women on Boards program is one of the best choices.
- Take on strategic initiatives. If you don’t yet have board experience, get involved in projects that have a real impact on the development of the organization and allow you to practice strategic thinking and decision-making.
- Upskill regularly. Earning certifications such as CFA, FIIA or ACCA can significantly increase your chances of getting board positions.
Build a Strong Network
Networking is the foundation for success in the business world – and the statistics confirm that. A 2023 study conducted by Chief revealed that over 90% of professional women at the manager level and above used networking to join a board, underscoring its critical role in career advancement.
How to build a network effectively?
- Attend business events. Every meeting is an opportunity to make valuable connections. Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations and share your experiences.
- Join industry groups and organizations. Women leaders’ clubs, such as Forbes Women or the Leading Women Foundation, are great places to share experiences and gain recommendations.
- Use LinkedIn. By regularly publishing valuable content, you become recognized as an expert. The more value you give to others, the more willing they will be to help you advance your career.
Establish Your Visibility And Personal Brand
Visibility in the business environment is the key to success. Building a personal brand is not just about showcasing accomplishments, but more importantly about being able to communicate your added value.
How do you build your brand as a leader?
- Publish articles and make public appearances. Become an expert in your field by sharing your knowledge and experience to increase your visibility.
- Take care of your social media presence. Make sure your social media profiles – especially on LinkedIn – are up-to-date, consistent and professional.
- Highlight your successes. Don’t be afraid to talk about your accomplishments. If you don’t show your value yourself, no one else will do it.
Women On Boards Program – Your Guide On The Journey To The Top
Our proprietary Women on Boards program is a comprehensive support for women who aspire to management or supervisory board roles. It’s not just training – it’s a personal journey during which you’ll receive expert support and access to the tools you need to succeed.
By implementing the program, together we will help you:
- break down the barriers and stereotypes that keep you from taking the first step,
- gain the valuable skills you need to get into management or supervisory board,
- develop your professional network,
- create a strategy leading to your desired position.
The program consists of 7 sessions during which your Career Angel will help you develop an effective application strategy, refine your leadership skills and prepare for the challenges that come with holding a board role. Each session is interactive, tailored to your individual needs, based on practical exercises, educational materials and constructive feedback.
What’s In It For You?
1. Personalized action plan
Before starting the program, you will prepare an audit of your skills and identification of skill gaps, so you will know what to focus on.
2. Improving leadership skills
Sessions focus on developing the competencies necessary in board functions, including leadership, negotiation and authority-building skills.
3. Optimizing application documents
You will prepare a professional CV and cover letter that will make you stand out from other candidates. Together we will optimize your LinkedIn profile so that you can fully present your achievements.
4. Networking
You will build an extensive and valuable network of contacts that will allow you to establish key relationships with people with similar aspirations or experts in your industry.
5. Application strategies
You’ll learn how to effectively apply for board positions, how to write cover mail or how to efficiently look for decision makers.
6. Interview simulation
You’ll prepare for job interviews through simulations, so you’ll feel more confident in actual meetings.
Don’t Wait – Join Women On Boards Now!
Don’t let more years pass without action! Stop postponing your development and seize the historic opportunity to advance to the board. Sign up to our Women on Boards program to achieve your ambitions even faster and more effectively!
Contact us to discuss your professional situation and strategic next steps! Send an e-mail to Contact@CareerAngels.eu | Subject: Women on Boards
