Only 21 women are at the helm of Fortune 500 companies

Rockefeller Foundation reports that having female leaders in positions of influence bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, which can lead to more innovative and collaborative decision-making, a positive impact on workplace policies, and ultimately drive better business outcomes.

And while 82% of Americans say it's important for women to have the same opportunities for career advancement as men, women’s lack of representation at the top is strikingly evident.

👉 Women hold just 4% of the leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies — worse even than women’s current representation in the Senate (20% — an all-time high).

👉 1 in 4 Americans say there are no women in leadership positions at their current job.

👉 Just 34% say their current workplace puts a high priority on having women in leadership positions.

Based on the stats above, to increase the number of women in leadership roles, business leaders need to create more opportunities for women, challenge gender bias and stereotypes, and provide support for women to develop the necessary skills and networks.

So without further ado, here are three reasons why everyone wins with more women in leadership roles.

1️⃣ A diverse workforce is an innovative workforce, says Forbes Business Council

Diversity in all its forms—from gender to culture to age to race—inspires new ideas and fosters innovation. Often, men and women will approach business differently due to their varied life experiences. This amalgamation of experiences can foster creativity and lead to breakthrough innovations that drive businesses ahead.

2️⃣ Better representation of customers & stakeholders

Women are often an important target demographic of most businesses, and having them lead can help organizations to better understand their needs and preferences. This can lead to the development of products and services that better meet the needs of female customers, which can ultimately benefit the organization.

3️⃣ Positive impact on society

Having more female leaders can have a positive impact on society as a whole. They can serve as role models and inspire other women to pursue leadership roles themselves. This can help to break down gender stereotypes and contribute to greater gender equality in society.

📢 In this week’s edition of In the Loop, GMI POST highlights the stories of strong female leaders. Through these feature articles, we hope to inspire you to create a culture of inclusion and support women's advancement into leadership roles.

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