Anyways, today's topic is the glass ceiling. After having worked in Corporate America for 15 years now, I have believed that there was a glass ceiling. After all, less than 20% of our positions at Senior Manager and above are filled by women. In a business that markets heavily toward women, I'm dismayed by this statistic. It had to prove the theory of the glass ceiling. Right?
I've recently changed my mind (it's a women's prerogative after all) and I no longer believe that their is a glass ceiling. After reading Ladies Who Launch http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/ they have convinced me otherwise. They bring up some great points about why they don't believe in the theory of the glass ceiling. Namely:
- There can't be a glass ceiling if women don't want to take those positions
- Women don't necessarily aspire to fill those positions because the VP & C-level positions involve very little creativity
- Those higher level positions don't allow for much flexibility
- Read the book to find out more...
In the process of searching my soul lately, I was wondering what happened to my drive to move up the corporate ladder? What happened to that fierce competitive spirit? Isn't the money at those levels great?
What I've come to discover is that:
- Balance is more important where I'm at than on a ladder to nowhere
- I can be competitive but I don't have to be fierce. My competitive spirit is directed where it should have been all along, on the competitors. I am more fulfilled when I help my team win rather than just winning alone.
- Yes, the money would be nice, but I don't want to lose my life, the time with my husband, children and family in the pursuit of the almighty dollar. I want to be creative and find a way to be successful on my own terms. If I'm finding a creative outlet for my talents, I will inevitably find a way to make money.
In the meantime, the heck with the glass ceiling. I'd settle for a window with a lake view!
What's your View?
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