#19 Demystifying the Glass Ceiling - how to push for actual change with Dr. Ingrid Haegele

Women in top leadership who have broken through that glass
ceiling are great - but even if they’re inspirational role models
for some, looking just at their example kind of misses the point,
says economist Dr. Ingrid Haegele.


The same goes for quotas that promote gender equality at board
level: it’s a good start, but it doesn’t drive change the whole
way down.


She says that her research has shown that what matters more, is
creating workplace environments that allow everyone to consider
vertical career-moves, even those of us (= parents!) who need
more flexible working models.


“Women don’t apply as much for promotions - not because women are
not interested, but because how these jobs are designed is less
attractive to them,” she explains in this podcast.


She likens it to being a vegetarian in a restaurant that only
serves meat. "I will order a table salad, because they only have
meat dishes. Women don’t apply, and you think they don’t have an
appetite to be a leader - but maybe they’re just not interested
in the combination that’s offered on the menu."


Her advice if you’re hesitating over a career move that might not
be the perfect fit? Go for it! And if you’re a company, actively
encourage & support women to apply for different roles - once
they step into those roles they often find that they love leading
a team - and that they’re really good at it! ️


What do you think we need to do to get more women to apply for
those leadership jobs?


Speaker:  Dr. Ingrid Hägele, Economist, Visiting Scholar
@MIT, Assistant Professor @LMU Munich


Interviewer: Dr. Ricarda Engelmeier - Founder @MyCollective


Music: sponsored by @Michaelkadelbach


Picture: Ingrid Hägele


Graphic & Production: MyCollective