Reading the studies on women in the C-suite, you have to wonder how there could possibly be a glass ceiling at this late date. Laws are in place to promote equity and researchers have reported time and time again that companies with women in executive positions frequently outperform those that are comprised primarily of men.

So what explains these statistics? Women hold 14.1 percent of the Fortune 500 Executive Officer positions; women hold 7.5 percent of the top earner positions in the executive suite; and one-fourth of all corporations had no women in executive officer positions. These are not impressive numbers. When you learn that women hold approximately 50 percent of management positions, it’s clear the glass ceiling is still intact. What’s missing in women’s careers that can serve as the hammer to crack this barrier? The answer is surprisingly simple – sponsorship. Men who rise through the corporate ranks often have a mentor who guides and directs them down the career path, but men usually don’t have to deal with stereotyping issues that typically hold women back. It’s doubtful that many men seeking a CEO position are told there are concerns as to their ability to manage work and family life. Though mentorship programs are becoming more popular, they can only help women up to a point. It’s apparent from the statistics, they are not able to break the glass ceiling. Women need sponsors who don’t just guide and advise but also advocate.

Advocating for Success