Valuing the diversity of women

Does paving the way for women mean that all women will be perfect performers in these leadership positions? No of course it doesn't, and neither are all men.

Does it mean we expect women to behave the same as men? Not necessarily, but women certainly have different life experiences to men and those can be used for good purpose in business and workplace environments. For example, DCA’s major new study (2010 Working for the Future - A National Survey of Employees) into the attitudes of Australians at work found that managers with children are consistently rated as better managers and had more satisfied staff. Therefore, skills developed by being a parent should be more highly valued at work. This doesn't mean people without children aren't good managers but it does mean parents, especially women, should not be ignored when it comes to people leadership roles.

Will all women who gain these leadership positions be “supportive” of other women? Well, that one depends on our individual perceptions of what “supportive” might mean. Whatever the perception, some women won't be supportive. At all. But they will still be there, rightfully taking their place as leaders and making their contributions.

And there will always be business leaders like Ann Sherry, who do take responsibility for integrating sound business practice with sound human resources and diversity practice in their workplaces, when they are in a position to do so.

Does all this mean that leadership is the only issue facing women in Australia's workplaces and businesses? No of course it doesn't. There are many questions around women's employment participation that still need to be addressed, but resolving the leadership issue is a start.

And we shouldn't see the pool of leadership talent that exists among Australian women as being limited to one, albeit highly visible demographic: White, Anglo, the “right” educational and socio-economic background, the “right” personality traits etc.

Instead, the opportunity this exciting culture change presents is to begin to leverage the talents of all women.