by Gerri Vereen
Are you ready for that next promotion and wondering what should be your next step? Make sure you have two networks which includes an inner circle of female leaders who have been there, done that, and who can provide you feedback on how to take your unique talents to the next level.
New research in the Harvard Business Review finds that women who had both a central network (well-connected peers across different groups) and a female-dominated inner circle of women, landed leadership positions that were 2.5 times higher in authority and pay than those of their female peers lacking this combination. While women who had networks similar to those of successful men (i.e., centrality but no female inner circle) placed into leadership positions that were among the lowest in authority and pay.
The research also showed that women’s success depended on a certain kind of inner circle. The best inner circles for women were those in which the women were closely connected to each other but had minimal contacts in common. For example, if Jane’s inner circle includes Mary, Jennifer, and Reshma, who all come from different industries and types of roles who each have networks with few overlapping contacts, then Jane will benefit not only from her three inner-circle-mates but also their non-overlapping contacts. The research found that men don’t need the kind of gender related private information that women need to navigate male-dominated professions.
This inner circle is what we offer with the Key Women’s Leadership Forum.
The purpose of the Key Women’s Leadership Forum is to bring together female leaders and focus on the whole self – mind, career, body and spirit. Our Forum brings executive women together to focus on pressing issues, leveraging your influence and aligning your career with what is purposeful for you. As a member, you also expand your circle of influence by forming strong connections with other highly accomplished women.
The Key Women’s Leadership Forum can help you:
- Be an authentic leader
- Celebrate your successes graciously and guilt-free in the company of other accomplished women
- Create your own business culture as a woman-led team or organization
- Achieve improved work life alignment
- Harness your unique strengths as a female leader to propel your career and enhance your success
I’m hosting an introductory luncheon in May for our next Forum in Atlanta. If you would like to learn more, please email me.