Ep 176 – (Part 2) 3 Major Systemic Barriers to Women’s Progression: The Bias Barrier

In this 3-part series I am going to be sharing the major systemic barriers to women progressing in their careers: today we are talking about The Bias Barrier.

Bias can be unconscious (and conscious) and is a key factor underpinning the slowness of progress in seeing more women rise to positions of leadership and power.

In this episode, I’m talking about three key factors:

1. Affinity bias – the reason why many male leaders hire more men with similar experiences and backgrounds as them

2. Loyalty bias – the assumption that women will remain loyal to their organisations, even if they are continuously overlooked for promotion

3. Common assumptions made about women’s needs and career aspirations, that are often wrong

Something I said today:

Bias occurs throughout the entire lifecycle of a women’s career: from recruitment, professional development opportunities to promotion, mentoring advice and compensation discussions – at every career transaction, qualified women can be side-lined.” (Rebecca Allen, Host – Her Ambitious Career Podcast)

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Links:

• Grab Rebecca’s free gift: The 7 Habits of Female Execs Who Get Promoted
• Part 1 of this series: Ep 175 – 3 Major Systemic Barriers to Women’s Progression: The Culture Barrier
• Another ep: Ep 111 The Problem With Values: Is Your Own Loyalty Limiting Your Career? 
• And: 3 Things NOT To Do This Year – talks to NOT internalising discrimination
• Rebecca’s recent blogpost: DEI is Alive and Well: 3 Steps to Combat Feelings of Disillusionment 
• Check Rebecca out at www.illuminategrowth.com.au

DEI Links:

• Forbes: What is Affinity Bias And Why Does It Matter?
• Australian Government: Status of Women Report Card – 2024, annual report
• Monash University: Climbing the ranks: Australia’s gender equity breakthrough
• Sharing of Housework in Couple Families – Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)
• WGEA: Superannuation & gender pay gaps by age group
• ASFA urges action to close the retirement savings gender gap

About Rebecca:

Hi, I’m Rebecca Allen and I’m an Executive Coach and Personal Brand expert for corporate women, aspiring to senior levels of leadership. I absolutely LOVE coaching and seeing my fabulous clients exceed their own expectations. Over the last decade+ I have helped women realise their potential at companies including Woolworths, ANZ, J.P. Morgan, PwC, Coca-Cola Amatil, Ministry of Defence, Frontier Sensing and Abbvie Medical Research through my Roadmap to Senior Leadership 1:1 coaching program. I live for those phone calls from clients, jumping up and down, telling me they’ve got that promotion, negotiated a seismic pay rise or have moved into a role completely aligned with their mission, values and strengths. I’m a working mum of two wonderful children, adore travel and trying my hand at anything creative! I’d love to connect with you!