Tales from the top Gender diversity - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

Tales from the top Gender diversity - Viewpoint - careers advice blog What does it take to be a female senior executive in the modern world of business? In association with  our  Leading Women series, we speak to seven international women about their careers and the world of work. What progress has been made? Much work must still be done No two careers are the same. As a business that is built upon and around talent, we know that every individual is uniquely skilled. However, we all live in a world where nearly half of those individuals in work are consistently and unfairly disadvantaged. Thankfully, things are beginning to change. While much work must still be done towards equality, the landscape of senior executive positions, company directors, non-executives and business managers is quite different from how it appeared only decades ago. That change has involved overcoming cultural stereotypes â€" proving that gender is not an indication of capability â€" a continuing battle against an unconscious bias, and a lack of confidence that can often undermine even the most successful employee. A global campaign Is it hard not to be intimidated if your colleagues are predominantly male? How often do you encounter dated views regarding women in the workplace? Can business be balanced with family life? There is no one way to the top The senior executives we feature have established their careers in major companies and institutions in different parts of the world, from Europe to South America and Asia. Each offered her own unique perspective on what it takes to make it, suggesting that there is no one way to the top, whether you are in banking or in medicine, in London or Beijing. Their insights touch on issues such as the loneliness at the top, the challenge of selling your abilities to yourself before you can sell them to others, how geography can mean new cultural hurdles, and the ways to overcome them. The universal advice is that being true to your abilities, showing honesty and behaving in a professional manner are the best ways to get ahead in business. And, best of all, those are rules that apply whatever your gender. Join the discussion and network with other HR professionals in our HR Insights with Hays group. Join the conversation View the Hays Journal online, via the Hays Journal iPad app or request a printed copy from haysjournal@hays.com //