Debunking myths about women in the workplace, this podcast discusses women's ambition during the pandemic, gender inequities, the impact of microaggressions on women's careers, and unintentional bias and gender inequality.
The pandemic has fueled the growth of women's ambition, with 80% expressing a desire for promotion and young women of color exhibiting even higher levels of ambition.
Flexibility in the workplace is important for both men and women, with 80% of respondents reporting higher productivity when they have focused time and the ability to work remotely, leading to higher employee satisfaction.
Deep dives
Women's Ambition and Career Importance
Despite the challenges of the pandemic, women's ambition has grown, as 80% of women express a desire for promotion, equal to men. Young women, especially those of color, exhibit even higher levels of ambition. The introduction of flexibility in the working model during the pandemic has fueled this growth, enabling women to feel more empowered and allowing them to balance work and personal commitments.
The Value of Flexibility for All
Contrary to popular belief, flexibility in the workplace is not just important to women. The desire for flexibility is shared by both men and women, with 80% of respondents claiming to be most productive when they have focused time and the ability to work remotely. Flexibility goes beyond working from home and can include options like flexible hours or hybrid work models. Embracing flexibility does not result in a loss of productivity or benefits and can lead to higher employee satisfaction.
The Persistent Broken Rung and Microaggressions
The biggest barrier to women's advancement lies in the broken rung, where women face challenges in their first step up to managerial positions. For every 100 men promoted, only 87 women are. This inequality at the beginning of careers sets a slower and harder progression for women. Microaggressions, everyday slights experienced more by women, have a macro impact on their careers. Women who face microaggressions are more likely to consider leaving their organization and experience higher levels of burnout. It is imperative to create awareness and practice allyship to combat these issues.
For years, women have been fighting for faster career advancement and more equitable representation at work. On this week’s episode of The McKinsey Podcast, McKinsey senior partners Alexis Krivkovich and Lareina Yee talk with global editorial director Lucia Rahilly about the 2023 Women in the Workplace report—and specifically, our newest research on where progress is happening, where it’s not, and what leaders need to do differently to accelerate the pace of change.