How women executives survive the isolated echelons of the corporate ladder

How women executives survive the isolated echelons of the corporate ladder

Using status characteristics theory (SCT) as its premise, this chapter provides insights and advice to aspiring executives, drawn from the experiences of women who have achieved either executive-level positions or board memberships in Australia. This investigation reveals that the small number of women working at the executive level means that these women do not benefit from the male camaraderie found in highly active boys’ clubs. Consequently, in their relative solitude, they develop strategies and behaviours to contend with unpalatable issues of enigmatic organisational policies, excessive performance scrutiny, aggressive competition from other women, as well as both overt and unconscious discrimination. Limited research exists on the experience of Australian executive women leaders, although it is anticipated that their advice is ultimately relevant to women (and men) working at any level, in any type of organisation, worldwide.

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