How More Women Can Land Seats on Corporate Boards

The path to equal gender representation on corporate boards is a controversial topic. Women chair a mere 17 percent of the 5,000 board seats for S&P 500 companies, so there already appears to be an equality problem.

Some of the more left-leaning countries like Norway and France have solved this issue by forcing companies to appoint women to their boards, but I don’t agree with that tactic, nor do I believe that the remnants of a patriarchal corporate structure are entirely to blame. Some women, myself included, scoff at board seats, preferring entrepreneurship to corporate governance. But there are plenty of other women who do hope to one day sit on a major corporate board, and that is perfectly understandable.

The issue, however, is how to get invited to the board. Board seats are unique in that people seek you out to fill them, not the other way around. When only a minority of boards have women on them, it can be difficult to find female role models or examples to help you along the way. Luckily most advice on career advancement is applicable to both genders, but there are still some problems and roadblocks that women specifically should be aware of.

Don’t shy away from finance

I cannot in good conscience tell women looking for board positions that they aren’t going to have to contend with some sexism. Women are told time and time again, from various sources, that they are worse at math than men, which doesn’t bode well for their future in business as being on a board requires quite a bit of financial literacy.

Of course, the claim that gender has anything to do with how good someone is at math is ridiculous–mathematical literacy is tied more to culture than to gender. It is, however, still a stereotype women have to deal with. Thus any woman looking to be appointed to a board must be educated in finance, and heading some sort of financial project.

One study found that the majority of board-appointed businesswomen they interviewed had a background in finance, so it is up to you to prove you have the same financial chops as any other candidate.

Stand out, inside and outside the office

One of the first steps in finding a new appointee to a board is to research and find potential candidates. That means combing the internet, papers, and company newsletters to find people that have proven themselves to be leaders.

Even if you’re a great employee, you need to make yourself as visible as possible. Volunteer to lead projects at work, network with the higher-ups, and try your hand at mentoring. Though women have made some serious headway in the world of business over the last few decades, we are still in the minority. The next generation of woman leaders need to see what we’ve done and hear our stories; without any examples to guide them, they may shy away from business altogether.

Prove that you’re a leader both in and out of the office, and you’ll have a much better chance at an eventual appointment.

Remember, you are standing on the shoulders of giants

You will not be the first woman to hold a board position, nor will you be the last. So relax, and remember that gender equality does not rest solely on your shoulders.

I’ve met a lot of strong, intelligent businesswomen whose careers stall because they ostracize their peers with accusations of latent sexism. Yes, sexism is an issue in the workplace, but it is not the only issue. Stereotypes swing both ways, and it can be just as damaging being the frigid, cold dictatorial figure in a dress as it is being the ditzy blonde in high heels and a short skirt.

You are where you are because you have a head for business. Use your intellect and your talent, rather than blind moral outrage, to overcome sexism.

The future

I earnestly believe that, as time goes on, women are going to become much more prominent in the boardrooms of major companies all across America. But we can’t rely on quotas or government regulations to get us those seats. It’s up to us to prove all of those stupid stereotypes wrong.

These misrepresentations of women are a problem, and one that we are going to be fighting for a long time. But if you are ambitious, willing to work hard, and stand out, you will eventually get invited to the long table on the top floor.