Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women In Leadership

In this article we sit down with Emma Brett, Managing Director of Cafento International to discuss women in leadership and what advice she has for women wanting to break into the boardroom.

Why is it that it is still so much harder for women to land the top jobs than it is for men, despite all that we now know about the glass ceiling effect?

The answer is two-fold. Firstly, the C-Suite has been historically a male experience and businesses led from a male perspective, thus perpetuating the old boys club stereotype. And the prospect of being the only female on a board of male directors can be unattractive. I know women who have been hired into very senior positions just to make up the diversity quota. In one case, a person in this situation, felt that no matter what she said, people did not listen to her. So, women can arrive in this position, but it might not mean they make an impact due to existing mentalities.

Secondly, working hours can become a genuine issue for women at the senior level. Women tend to be the dominant force in the home, taking responsibility for their families. Working 16–17-hour days and 80-hour weeks was the widespread practice at the top end of businesses for years. Few women were prepared to do this, especially with what we know about work/life balance, and why should they? But in the past five years, companies are starting to place an increased emphasis on work/life balance, and these types of schedules are declining. This increased emphasis on the division of work and leisure time undoubtedly helps women go further in their careers. But the lack of women in the board room is a multi-faceted issue and we are only scratching the surface.

What happens in the C-Suite after women break the glass ceiling?

Furthermore, an increased number of women in senior roles provides mentorship for other women in business. Building a gender diverse team is not only about ensuring operational success, but also about developing the female leaders of tomorrow. There is a lot to be said for the role of mentoring in many women’s careers. Effective mentoring relationships help junior employees develop leadership skills, increase self-confidence, improve emotional intelligence, and navigate career advancement. 

There is also a lot to be said for the empathy women leaders bring to businesses. Women are more understanding of the unique obstacles facing other women in the business and they can effectively help break the system down from the top. 

The biggest barriers for women getting into the board room 

I am fortunate and proud to work for a family-run company with two female CEOs. But if I was going back to my days working in a multinational company, women were respected for their knowledge and contributions to the business. Everyone sees things in the lenses of their different lived experiences, and this was valued and there is universal value in that.

What is the future for corporate diversity and inclusion?

It is heading in the right direction. In terms of gender-based diversity and inclusion, women in the board room are becoming the norm. And it is no longer a taboo subject.

Short to medium term, companies will develop more policies and initiatives to attract and retain diverse employees. Businesses are committed to EDI, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it is better for business. Research has shown that businesses with diverse leadership teams are more profitable and have better rates of employee engagement.

Long-term, in the next ten years or so, we will be closer to the 50/50 split in terms of gender, the C-suite will also be more balanced and inclusive of people from different ethnicities and races.

What advice would you give to women wanting to advance in their career? 

Good managers should act as a mentor, whether this is formal or informal. I am a firm believer that if you have the right management and mentors in your career, they will make a massive difference to your career trajectory.

About Cafento

Cafento is a family business resulting from the integration of a large group of companies with decades of experience in the coffee sector. A global company with a local focus, based on being close to the customer through each of our brands with a local tradition. This, together with a strong infrastructure, positions us as one of the major European companies in the coffee industry.