Creative industries inspire more women leaders

Lack of “tradition” in the new creative industries enables women to acquire more senior positions in the organizations. A space where innovation and creativity forms the base of the workplace; gender, age and other barriers are mostly deemed irrelevant.

A new study by professors at the University of Arizona and McGill University shows that not only is it easier for women to get promoted to senior positions in companies where women are already on top, but that organizations with senior female managers have better chances of appointing women to the newly-created management roles.

Due to both these reasons, women in the advertising and the media industries have a faster trajectory to leadership. Along with these, experience too has little leverage over potential.

When it comes to creation of new management roles, marketing communications is one of the fastest growing sectors and is rapidly transforming the current media scene. With the development of new posts like the social media head or the head of branded content etc., women have easy access to managerial roles, very early in their careers; which is extremely unlikely in other industries.

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But along with this advancement also come a few challenges in the field.  It is extremely difficult to be a working mother if you are a part of the creative team as it may sometimes demand unusual working hours. Taking a long career break would also cause a problem. But as the industry is innovating and trying new things, theses problems might become easier in the near future

Arizona/McGill research reveals, women are more likely to create a better environment for other women to help them grow into relevant leadership roles. Along with inspiring them, they may also help create roles around their specific talents.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/women-in-leadership/2014/apr/15/meritocracy-creative-industries