Results at the Top

Chapter 2THE BUSINESS CASE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

• What if we were to tell you that there is one assured way to improve your financial performance that will not cost you a single penny more than you pay today?
• What if your company could be out‐competed if your competitors do this before you do?
• What if you don't use this strategy and investors shift their investments to competitors that do?

In this chapter, we will share with you the growing body of evidence that proves that companies that advance women into positions of leadership on executive teams and boards perform better than those that don't.

“Richard, there are so many stories that I could share from my own experience on how women in leadership and the creation of cultures of inclusiveness improves the bottom line. Success in today's business environment requires innovative thinking—what we often call difference thinking. And the best ideas today are coming from the combination of men and women's unique critical thinking skills.

“One of the many examples of the success of gender‐balanced teams and inclusive leadership that stands out for me is at one of the top, global financial services company headquartered in New York City.”

“LET'S DO IT!”

It happened while we were facilitating a Gender Intelligence 101 workshop with the company's senior executives. Of the seventeen executives reporting directly to the CEO, four were women. During our co‐gender workshops, we typically ask the men and women to form two ...