Comments on: The Myth of The C-Suite http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/the-myth-of-the-c-suite/ Evelyn Kalinosky, LLC Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:32:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Evelyn http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/the-myth-of-the-c-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-124 Evelyn Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:05:12 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=1236#comment-124 Scott, You're absolutely right that more than just women are affected by these obstacles, and I certainly don't see this as a way of bashing men for where we are today. It goes beyond just gender and has more to do with a collective mindset that's been in effect for generations. This mentality is so ingrained that many people don't realize it's an issue unless you happen to be one of the individuals (i.e. women, hispanic, gay, black) who are trying to ascend the corporate ladder. It's insidious. It's covert, and it's subtle. Ironically, some of this resistance to women moving into C-suite positions comes from women themselves who have subconsciously bought into some of the prejudices that exist about women in leadership positions. There is still much work to be done, not only to advance women into these key leadership positions, but individuals of color, gays and those who may not have access to the most prestigious educational institutions and the "perks" that come with being part of such elite, exclusive organizations. Thanks for your very thoughtful commentary and for taking the time to respond to this post. Evelyn Scott,
You’re absolutely right that more than just women are affected by these obstacles, and I certainly don’t see this as a way of bashing men for where we are today. It goes beyond just gender and has more to do with a collective mindset that’s been in effect for generations. This mentality is so ingrained that many people don’t realize it’s an issue unless you happen to be one of the individuals (i.e. women, hispanic, gay, black) who are trying to ascend the corporate ladder. It’s insidious. It’s covert, and it’s subtle.

Ironically, some of this resistance to women moving into C-suite positions comes from women themselves who have subconsciously bought into some of the prejudices that exist about women in leadership positions. There is still much work to be done, not only to advance women into these key leadership positions, but individuals of color, gays and those who may not have access to the most prestigious educational institutions and the “perks” that come with being part of such elite, exclusive organizations.

Thanks for your very thoughtful commentary and for taking the time to respond to this post.

Evelyn

]]> By: J. Scott Brady http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/blog/the-myth-of-the-c-suite/comment-page-1/#comment-114 J. Scott Brady Tue, 15 Dec 2009 05:00:25 +0000 http://www.evelynkalinosky.com/?p=1236#comment-114 This is basically true as far as it goes. You shouldn't however see men as the enemy. It is not all men. There are many other groups other than women that have the same difficulties. How many people at the top of the economic ladder are black, hispanic, gay, or come from working class backgrounds. The first three are relatively easy to point out the last isn't. There are many other groups that are limited in how far they can climb. It isn't so much a glass ceiling but a ceiling with some holes in it that allows a member of some limited groups to slip through. That is how they create the myth that it is fair and that the best people have reached the top. The boardroom is heavily populated by the same types of people, who populated it 100 years ago. They do it by having a bias in favor of exclusive educational institutions that the masses can't afford to attend, members of certain country clubs etc. Also a nudge at an opportune time can push a favored son into the board room, or past any hurdle on the economic ladder. It is old money that you rail against. If the woman card is well played, women with old money will move into the board room. How does that help the rest of us? This is basically true as far as it goes. You shouldn’t however see men as the enemy. It is not all men. There are many other groups other than women that have the same difficulties. How many people at the top of the economic ladder are black, hispanic, gay, or come from working class backgrounds. The first three are relatively easy to point out the last isn’t. There are many other groups that are limited in how far they can climb. It isn’t so much a glass ceiling but a ceiling with some holes in it that allows a member of some limited groups to slip through. That is how they create the myth that it is fair and that the best people have reached the top. The boardroom is heavily populated by the same types of people, who populated it 100 years ago. They do it by having a bias in favor of exclusive educational institutions that the masses can’t afford to attend, members of certain country clubs etc. Also a nudge at an opportune time can push a favored son into the board room, or past any hurdle on the economic ladder. It is old money that you rail against. If the woman card is well played, women with old money will move into the board room. How does that help the rest of us?

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