Corporate Boards and The Business Woman

This will be of interest for women in business who are working hard to elevate their status in the corporate world. In three years we've only increased our presence on corporate boards by 1.1%. But it could just be that it's partially because we just didn't know the rules.

I had the opportunity to attend a seminar for business women on how to attain a position on the board of a corporation. I've been on boards before and have even chaired a couple, but the speakers revealed some new angles I hadn't thought about.

One was the fact that boards become "good 'ol boys networks" simply because when asked, they share names of those people they already know have served well on boards. After all, you want someone who has been recommended right?

Recommendation? Volunteer on committees and get known! This builds not only your network but your opportunities for referrals and recommendations.

Another new thought to me was that once women attain a seat at the corporate table, they must remember that they are there first as a board member who just happens to be female. Not the other way around. Because if you behave as though you are different it will be hard to blend in and be one of them.

I think we all know the person who goes into life with a chip on their shoulder and we know it holds them back. Maybe ours isn't a chip, but more like a little negative energy that keeps people from getting close enough to know and like you. Give them a chance to know the real & wonderful you.

The third was that men and women interact differently. I guess I knew this but I didn't think about it in the corporate world....men don't make a lot of eye contact when talking or listening to you. Women do. Therefore, it's quite common for women to assume the men are ignoring them or aren't listening just because they are not looking directly at you.

So instead of getting our feathers ruffled because we're ignored, maybe we should look at it as though we're being treated just like one of the guys! Be professional and move ahead with enthusiasm, understanding that men are who they are and no different in the board room than the den at home!

The last was a quote from Gaundi who said "seek first to understand, then to be understood". Wise words for a would-be board member AND for the woman who wants to get ahead in the corporate world where men still dominate.