Amanda Bennett discusses the issues women face in reaching the top of industry and the upcoming breakfast meeting to help change that in sport.
“Well behaved women seldom make history”.
So said Laurel Thatcher Ulrich as she crafted her book by the same title and I have often quoted Mrs Thatcher Ulrich on my travels.
Not because I want females to rise up and chain themselves to the nearest set of railings (although there was a time when this was exactly what was needed), nor because I claim any previous misbehavior on my own part that has created small or large change in our world.
I refer to these words because if we all continue to live and work by rules – written and unwritten - that exclude, hinder, undermine and deter, we will not change what excludes, hinders, undermines and deters.
Nudging the status quo, gently (or otherwise), challenging the way we have always done things, is valid, necessary and can change things now and for those who follow us.
Does every county/discipline/region/constituent group have to be represented on the board? Is the Chair the only person holding the talking stick? Is there a difference between appointing the best person and right person?
For many sport and recreation bodies tradition is highly valued and history cherished. We cannot, should not, change history. However we can learn from it and make our sporting organisations stronger for future generations.
How do we do this? Start at the top.
Leading any organisation is not easy and populating the board table with people from the same background, same skill set, same longevity in the sport or recreation activity will give you the same answers to increasingly challenging questions.
The power and passion at the heart of our sporting associations must not be lost, but in a fast-moving world they are insufficient to run the limited companies, registered charities and community interest companies populating the sector.
Gender is but one aspect of diversity when we talk about forming an inclusive, skilled and objective board. However it is an issue that is high profile and for good reason.
The list of evidence is longer than ever and it tells us that women are good for business, whatever your business.
According to the 2011 Lord Davies Report, companies with more women on their boards were found to outperform their rivals with a 42% higher return in sales, 66% higher return on invested capital and 53% higher return on equity.
From Ernst and Young's female senior executives and sport to Stanford University's research into masculine corporate culture, we know enough to be able to challenge the way we have always done things.
For example, sports bodies can revise recruitment processes, widen the recruitment net, adapt adverts for senior and non-executives so they visibly attract more diverse candidates and ensure balanced recruitment panels.
Beyond the organisational processes, sport and recreation bodies must also be prepared to address cultural norms that do not welcome, encourage and retain staff and volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
We are also told that women are less likely to speculate by applying for positions they are not confident of attaining.
According to a survey by the Institute of Leadership and Management, only 30 per cent of women under the age of 30 said that they expect to become senior managers compared with 45 per cent of men. Only half of women managers said they have a high level of confidence, compared with 70 per cent of men.
Even when appointed, the lone female at the table often says she experiences isolation. She faces compounding issues as her leadership and authority is in the spotlight thanks to her gender.
These women can also feel that it is harder for them to be heard or recognised for their divergent viewpoint. Rather than self-editing her comments or giving in, the sole woman needs to be highly resilient in challenging existing thinking, while aiming to be received as part of the group.
The Sport and Recreation Alliance supports organisations that strive to be well-run through its work on the Voluntary Code of Good Governance. Aligned to this is the Alliance Directors Club which assists individuals with an interest in leading sport.
On 15 October British Athletes Commission Chair Karen Pickering MBE will lead a panel of experts who’ll share their experiences and advice to aspiring directors.
This breakfast event is aimed at women seeking senior executive or non-executive positions in sport and who want to learn, exchange ideas and network. This may be the best opportunity to “behave badly” in a long time…
Find out more about the Alliance Directors Club breakfast event.
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