In a discussion with a male colleague the other day, he hit me out of the blue when he labeled me with the f-word. No, not that one. He asked if I am a feminist. I was surprised – it’s not a term that one often hears these days. In our politically correct world, it’s attached to rather unattractive connotations of bra-burning, anti-meritocracy and distinctly unfeminine behavior. So I felt a bit uncomfortable embracing the term as part of my being.

But of course, a feminist I am. The Oxford Dictionary defines feminism as “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes”. And I not only live in hope, but am trying through sphinxx to ensure there is equality for women in every leadership opportunity. I’ve held a number of senior roles, the last being an executive role where I was one of only 2 female line managers reporting to the COO. It was tough, challenging and enjoyable, but also lonely. It gave me much of the inspiration to establish sphinxx.

Now in my role as sheEO of sphinxx I receive almost daily emails from women who are enduring similar experiences. Negotiating the corporate culture is tough when you’re a minority, and gender minority is no different. But despite all of this, I love being a woman in business. It’s fun watching the guys taking the well traveled path and then finding a different, more innovative way to get your message across.

As a woman I choose not to believe in the glass ceiling theory: I think that with integrity, intelligence and persistence, and a bit of guts, as a woman one can match the men in any leadership stakes. And the increasing number of women achieving leadership success says to me that it is indeed possible, if you want it enough.

Call me a feminist; but I really do believe in equality of the sexes. No one has been able to convince me otherwise, yet.

What’s your feelings on the term “feminist” - are you one and are the men in your workplace feminists too?  Post your reply:

The 2006 EOWA Australian Census of Women in Leadership highlighted the stark gender imbalance in senior roles in leading Australian companies.  In Australia’s top 200 publicly listed companies, women held only 6 CEO roles and 12% of executive management positions.  Yet we know that women enter most organisations - with the exception perhaps of traditionally skewed industries, like engineering and construction for example - in equal if not greater proportions than men.  They make it to first management roles in about equal proportion, and continue to be well represented in middle management roles.  But what happens after that?

Perhaps it’s the glass ceiling (I heard one woman comment recently that it was only after she smashed through the glass ceiling that she realised there was another concrete one beyond that!), but the women I know and work with are resourceful enough to find a solution through that obstacle.  And likewise parental leave - sure, it is the major off ramp, but I’ve seen too many examples of female leaders successfully balancing parenting with careers to count it as a definitive career breaker. 

So what are the other factors that cause this great divide?  Male dominated workplace politics?  Lack of female role models to build the belief it is possible?  Lack of flexibility?  Or a lack of drive or ambition to do what it takes to get the top job?

All these factors are probable contributors.  But one thing is for sure - women make great leaders, and - for many reasons - we need more of them.  So lets use our collective brainpower and passion to collectively come up with solutions that will make a real difference - to employers, employees and women in general.