Australian Women CEOs Speak: New Study from Korn Ferry and AICD Lifts the Lid on What Makes Women CEOs Tick

Download as PDF

Candid interviews coupled with psychometric assessment of women CEOs reveal they are not motivated by power or status and are often appointed to the role when the risk of failure is highest

SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A study released today by Korn Ferry (NYSE:KFY) and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) entitled Australian Women CEOs Speak examines the careers of current and recent women CEOs in Australia and highlights common success factors on the road to becoming CEO.

“With just 14 women in CEO roles in the ASX 200, and a weak pipeline of women in C-suite roles, we sought to better understand why more women aren’t in key leadership positions and the roadblocks to women’s advancement to reaching the position of CEO. We spoke to those who have confronted a similar rocky pathway as other women, yet managed their way to the top,” said Katie Lahey, Korn Ferry’s Executive Chairman, Australasia.

“It was interesting to learn that close to half (43%) of the women were handed a ‘hospital pass’ for their first CEO role. When organisations are in dire straits they turn to women with a reputation for hard work and problem solving to take over,” Ms. Lahey added.

The study also revealed the importance of board experience for women in the pipeline to the top job. Experience on boards, both corporate and non-profit, and a relationship with their own board, contributed to the women’s breadth of experience and confidence before becoming CEO.

“Exposure to boards is key to the development of future CEOs. It is pleasing to learn that most women described their relationship with their own company’s board as positive and supportive,” said Elizabeth Proust AO FAICD, Chairman of AICD.

“A strong pipeline of female leaders for executive roles leads to a strong pipeline of future female non-executive directors. I would encourage women who aspire to the CEO role to gain exposure to boards during their career and encourage directors to get actively involved in mentoring and sponsoring the next generation of female leaders,” Ms. Proust added.

Australian Women CEOs Speak will inform future development programs for women by structuring them to include factors that particularly make women successful. It will also help CEOs and boards understand the motivations and drivers of women leaders and how to better attract women in the pipeline to the role.

“Women aren’t motivated by power or status; they are mainly motivated by making a difference. Understanding just this one factor will change how women are mentored and developed,” said Ms. Lahey.

The study also revealed that most of the women had reached the top without any formal coaching, mentoring or sponsorship.

“Women may be ambitious but not self-promoting. Mentors and sponsors need to be aware of this when looking at future leaders in their organisations,” said Ms. Proust.

Ten insights into the leadership drivers of Australian women CEOs

1. Nimble and collaborative leadership

Australia’s CEO women show particular strength in how they relate to people, and their effectiveness appears to extend from their candid and trusting work with teams. They are also exceptionally at ease with unsettled situations. They are highly agile, ready and able to adapt, and will try new approaches as needed.

2. Motivation

They are decidedly not drawn to power or status, and many didn’t really want to be CEO. But they were attracted by a sense of purpose—often related to improving the organisation for the sake of the people in it.

3. Confidence and self-doubt

Despite track records of success, one-third of the women said they’d experienced periods of serious self-doubt. On a psychometric assessment, the female CEOs also scored themselves below-benchmark levels on Confidence and Assertiveness.

4. Career goals

Of 16 interviewees, 43% said that they never wanted to be CEO at all. About the same number set their sights specifically on becoming a CEO, some as early as their 20s. The rest fell somewhere in between.

5. Professional path

Although about half of the CEOs were operating with clear career goals by mid-career, 75% said their professional life had periods of "improvisation." Some had almost entirely unplanned careers and moved into new positions driven by a desire to learn.

6. Little mentoring

Eleven of the 21 interviewees spoke of mentoring relationships, though some of those were informal interactions that might include a single piece of memorable advice. Only two women mentioned having consistent mentoring throughout their careers.

7. Appointment during a crisis

Nine of the 21 women we interviewed were given a "hospital pass"—handed power when the risk of injury to their personal career was high. For women, this phenomenon is a corollary to the glass ceiling called the "glass cliff."

8. Going global

Experience in international markets is a key feature of CEO women’s careers in Australia. 70% of those interviewed described significant global and multicultural experience.

9. Work and family

Half the women CEOs with children had partners who were the primary family caregiver for some or all of the time the women were building their career.

10. Higher education

Most of the CEO women held either honours or postgraduate qualifications. Almost half had postgraduate qualifications in a business-related field.

Note to editors: The research, undertaken by Korn Ferry, in collaboration with Australian Institute of Company Directors, included interviews with 21 women who were currently serving or had previously served as CEO or equivalent roles and psychometric assessment of 16 of the female CEOs. The interviews and assessment were conducted between May and July 2018.

For the complete study, Australian Women CEOs Speak, visit: Australian Women CEOs Speak.

About Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry is a global organisational consulting firm. We help clients synchronise strategy and talent to drive superior performance. We work with organisations to design their structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people to bring their strategy to life. And we advise them on how to reward, develop, and motivate their people.

About AICD

The Australian Institute of Company Directors is committed to excellence in governance. We make a positive impact on society and the economy through governance education, director development and advocacy. Our membership of over 43,000 includes directors and senior leaders from business, government and the not-for-profit sector.

Korn Ferry
Kerry Little, Director Strategic Communications
0402 013 224
kerry.little@kornferry.com
or
Carissa Simons GAICD, Media Manager, Advocacy, AICD
0417 348 659
csimons@aicd.com.au

Source: Korn Ferry

Released September 17, 2018