I have been involved in the consulting world for more than 15 years, and have had the privilege of working with extremely interesting and progressive Fortune 500 companies, supporting them as they develop and implement women’s initiatives.
As we look at the need for female participation at the board level, the first step to create a solid bench is to enhance and grow its internal talent.
So what is the key for success when we are dealing with women’s initiatives? How do we do it? How do we expand and grow the pipeline so we can reach the gender parity we are all seeking?
Here are seven steps that guarantee success:
1. Identify internal champions who will stand up for the idea of gender integration and have the patience and vision to keep the process moving forward. Think of how they will overcome budget cuts, changes in management, leadership ambivalence and push back.
2. Identify who are key decision-makers with the highest degree of influence, such as CEO or general manager, and make sure they are on-board and fully understand the business rational behind this effort.
3. Survey the population, and then define the needs from the female population.
4. Identify what is the best modality to help women fulfill their needs and reduce gaps — workshops, executive programs, strategic mentoring or a mix.
5. Agree to hold a women initiative’s agenda in the same regard as you do important meetings or other professional development events. Make sure that you remind everyone of the strategic importance of attending these sessions.
6. Assess how you are doing. Send out short questionnaires or request short essays that describe the value your employees have received from this targeted approach and how it’s helping them perform at work.
7. Check with human resources and management to identify areas for improvement and analyze areas of success.
So, let me summarize with the ingredients you need to bring to the table to ensure women’s initiatives succeed, so that we get the pipeline in place for top leadership roles — conviction, intention, vision, strategic thinking and above all resilience.
Elisabet Rodriguez Dennehy, J.D., M.A. is the Founder and President of Rodriguez and Associates, an international, strategic consulting firm that specializes in a customized approach to training and coaching corporate leaders on diversity, gender issues and leadership. Elisabet is also an adjunct professor at the Palumbo Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University, and a member of the Executive Women’s Council of Greater Pittsburgh.
