Nothing is stronger than an idea whose time has come
—Victor Hugo, 1877
There are too few women in top leadership positions in Australian companies, and men and women alike are calling for change. This issue has been apparent to many for a long time, but getting meaningful movement in the numbers has proven to be tough.
The imperative is clear—both morally and commercially. And the commercial case for change is as compelling as the moral one. Women represent an underutilised talent pool in an increasingly talent-constrained environment. In addition, decision-making effectiveness in organisations is improved by a diversity of perspectives. That is especially true in a global economy, where women increasingly drive the majority of consumer activity. It is therefore not surprising that Bain & Company research completed in 2010 shows that 75 per cent of the Australian business community believes that gender diversity should be a strategic imperative for its organisation.
