Do We Really Need to Push Women Onto Corporate Boards?

When I first arrived in this country several years ago, I struggled to find anyone who would hire me in a senior management capacity. I found this puzzling since I have two degrees, two professional designations and very solid work experience with recognized international brands. The MAIN reason I was given by organizations was that I "lacked Australian work experience". I found this reason to be puzzling.



We live in a world where there are few global trading boundaries. Every business is susceptible to the threat of losing customers to internet-based businesses (which in many cases sell the same products for less) and we need to think outside of the square to compete and maintain market share.



My track record in business speaks for itself - plus I was named Online Retailer of the Year for Canada in 2001 by the Retail Sales Council of Canada. And yet, I initially struggled to get General Management positions because I didn't have enough "Australian experience". Doesn't everyone else in these organizations already have enough Australian experience? Why did need it in order to contribute and add value? Shouldn't my international and internet retailing experience have made a welcome, diverse addition to any senior management team or Board?



It seems to me that the biggest thing holding Australian businesses back right now is the "me too" syndrome.



I do not consider this merely a sexist thing - there is an ingrained corporate culture where the leaders and directors want to hire others that are "like them". So if your management team or Board of Directors is made up largely of white, middle aged Anglo Saxon males, then that is who will tend to get the new board appointments too. There is also a strong hint of nepotism - hiring mates that they know vs. recruiting from the wider talent pool of all eligible and interested parties.



I would bet that if someone did a survey, they would find that most directors are of a certain age, background and educational/work pedigree.



I doubt you would find much diversity at all in terms of age, sex, sexual orientation, race, religion, education and international work experience. In my estimation if there are 10 directors sitting around the table and 9-10 of them are coming at the issues from the exact same perspective/paradigm (because they have the same background and experience), then 9 of them should not be there. It's that simple. If you want to create a culture of innovation and creativity, you cannot have 10 black hats (to use the famous coloured hat analogy of Edward de Bono) sitting around the boardroom table.



In my estimation it is in times of desperation or perspiration that real change happens. This global financial crisis may be exactly what the doctor ordered to initiate some real, progressive change around here. We cannot continue to do what we have always done. For many businesses, that is clearly not working any more.



A change in global financial circumstances and a demand for innovation, improved customer service and sophistication in products may create more PULL to get women into Board positions than any federal legislation designed to PUSH women in there.



There can be no doubt that women are good communicators and skillful at developing relationships. In this next decade I believe we will see companies steer away from boards comprised largely of white, middle aged Anglo Saxon men and more towards a unique mix of qualified candidates from all walks of life who contribute synergistically through their diversity.



In the end, I believe there is no need to push and shove women (or any other minority group) onto boards. That sort of behavior might be expected (but not tolerated) in the sandbox of your local kindergarten but, in my opinion, it has no place in the boardrooms of corporate Australia.