NEWS
Number of female CEOs in Fortune 500 companies up by 95% in the last 6 years
Research shows that having women in leadership positions is beneficial for businesses overall. Some studies have associated having more women in leadership roles with increased profitability and lowered risk-taking. Others have found that firms with women on their boards displayed higher returns on equity and higher valuations. Moreover, the studies show the lack of women representation at this level is not due to a lack of interest. Instead, it’s due to the lack of opportunity. The same studies found no barriers to entry into leadership positions for women seeking them. The only thing stopping them is access!
Bankless Times has presented data indicating that the number of CEO’s heading fortune 500 companies is growing. The firm’s analysis shows that female CEO’s there have increased by 95% in the last 6 years.
There are various reasons why there is an attrition of women at higher levels in an organisation, but one of them seems to be self-doubt. To reverse this, society needs to start challenging its assumptions about what a leader looks like and what they can do.
From 21 CEO’s in 2016, the number has increased to 41 today. That’s an impressive feat indeed. However, it belies a sobering fact: women remain underrepresented at the helm of these companies. Women account for a paltry 8.2% of that position’s holders despite the growth.
Also, women need to encourage each other to take risks, be assertive, and not shy away from stretch assignments. They have to be more vocal about their accomplishments. That’ll get them noticed and rewarded for their hard work. Finally, they must learn how to negotiate effectively to get what they deserve.
Not only does it illustrate a clear gender disparity issue in a professional setting. But it also reveals the lethargy in addressing it. This lack of representation means that many women are not getting a fair chance to prove themselves capable leaders and innovators within their respective industries.
Nearly one in three adults working from home say they are lonely The rise of working from home is adding to loneliness with more than three million people who do this claiming it means they don’t see other people very often, new research from digital board game group Marmalade Game Studio shows.
Around 89% who describe themselves as lonely say it has a negative impact on their mental health while 13% say it has no impact. The research for Marmalade Game Studio, which publishes popular digital board games such as Monopoly, Taboo, Cluedo and Jumanji, found 70% of those who describe themselves as lonely speak to an average of three or fewer family members or friends on an average weekly basis.
Its nationwide study found nearly one in three (29%) adults say they suffer from being lonely and one in four of them (26%) say it has a seriously negative impact on their mental health. More than half (52%) of those who suffer from loneliness say it is because they don’t have many close friends while 28% say it is because they live alone. However, 20% say working from home has added to their loneliness.
Cristina Mereuta, co-CEO at Marmalade Game Studio, said: “Working from home has inevitably increased as a result of the COVID-19 crisis and while for many it means more time with family, it clearly also adds to isolation for others.
Mental health is a major issue among those who suffer from being lonely – around two-fifths (38%) of those who describe themselves as lonely say their mental health issues add to their loneliness. This is in turn has an impact on their mental wellbeing.
“Staying connected with friends and family is important for mental health with one in four adults admitting loneliness has a seriously negative impact on their mental health.”
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