BACKGROUND

In 2020, I carried out research that explored the progression of women in the workplace and the barriers that stand in their way, leading to the publication of the book, “Male Perspectives on The Value of Women at Work”: This research was unique as the research subjects were men.

 

Based on the interviews:

•  it is clear that there is much that women can do to bring about the progression of girls and women in the workplace and into leadership.

• The widespread progression of women, however, requires systemic change to long established practices and institutions.

• For this, we need the input of men willing to work alongside women.

 

METHODOLOGY

The background research is based on interviews with 30 different men from the ages of 16 to 74, from different backgrounds, professional backgrounds and locations across the world.

 

RESULTS

• The research identified differences in the manner in which men and women navigate the workspace.

• Differences in attitudes and approaches to crucial factors such as Competencies, Networking, Progression and Pay

• External Factors to the workplace that have a marked impact on these differences.

 

CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS

• We need men to better appreciate the value women bring to the workplace.

• Women’s value needs to be factored into Competency Frameworks and wider organisation structures.

• We need men to better understand the barriers that women face that are often invisible to men.

• We additionally need men to sponsor women with the understanding that women don’t have access to all the areas open to men. There is therefore a need for men to help create doors that women can use for access rather than have women continuing to try to break glass ceilings.

 

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Susan Popoola is Director of Mosaic Fusions, a Business and Talent Development organisation. She is a Professional Speaker and Author She works with organisations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, China and the US. She’s a fellow of Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Good Work Guild. 

 

Susan Popoola MA CIPD FRSA

Human Value Optimisation Specialist

www.MosaicWorld.live

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