Women have made big strides in terms of being represented on corporate boards, both in terms of numbers and the prestige of their positions. But this prestige — and the greater visibility it brings — isn’t necessarily helping women advance. It might even be an obstacle in the long run.
A recent study examined an aspect of boardrooms that’s having an unexpected impact on women’s leadership. The study surveyed a sample of female and male board members at the 100 largest companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (FTSE-100). The researchers wanted to determine whether the prestige associated with certain organizations actually translates into additional career opportunities for women.