On Boards : The problem is the solution and begins with changing the questions and moving away from out-dated paradigms and mental roadmaps regarding what constitutes leadership and sound business acumen.
The visible lack of diversity is fuelling the quota debates- but why do we keep looking in the same places, examine the same things, only to return lukewarm solutions?
Mapping power networks and understanding the multiple layers of power is critical, but many feel uncomfortable with this approach. If managing power sounds distasteful, change the name to building social capital; a professional and personal power network.
A classic story on corporate politics. Politics: a dirty word to many. For others, it's knowing how to work the power within organizations to their advantage. Corporate politics with a positive ending - using a counterintuitive approach with a controlling boss. One woman's story on how you CAN move ahead and come out the other side - with a bigger role, values and sanity intact.
Mental Fixedness - thinking innovatively on how to crack the Diversity code.
Ibarra and Obodaru's article on 'the Vision Thing' raised many eyebrows prompting much discussion on blog sites everywhere. Intending to discover assumptions and bias against women's leadership ability in the business world, yet the conclusions left many unsettled. Is it self-promotion rather than the 'vision thing' that's the real stumbling block to the top? Self-promotion is a tricky thing and usually leaves managers feeling uneasy which sometimes results in not doing it well. If we follow Ibarra and Obodaru's suggestion, we may see a plethora of courses for women leaders to learn how to build visions which may not hit the mark. As emerging leaders would be better served by building solid networks, nurturing strategic visibility and using firm language to sell their visions.