Two months ago, I joined SER Topvrouwen to be part of a network of women (and men!) who place high value on diversity in boardrooms, and to gain inspiration for my own development and personal leadership.
Women in executive positions are still in the minority, especially in financial roles. This was confirmed in recent weeks during the search for my successor as CFO at dentsu, where 95% of the applicants were men. And yet, it has been proven that diversity contributes to the success of an organization. It fosters creativity and innovation.
Now, I’m not a feminist, and I have never felt disadvantaged as a woman in my career (I know, I feel blessed), but I am still surprised by the fact that the share of women in (financial) top positions remains so limited.
Personally, I am surrounded by strong women, such as my mother, who in the 1970s married in a Christian village wearing a pantsuit and a green hat, deliberately choosing not to marry in church. Both of my aunts also paved their own paths by traveling, starting their own businesses, and being completely independent. Back then, you had to be pretty strong to pull that off.
Many of my friends work as freelancers or have their own businesses. They have a clear goal in mind, bring in interesting projects without boasting about it, and are also very active at school, in sports clubs, and volunteering organizations. They are the first to raise their hand when something needs to be done. There’s always something more to be done, even nit-picking lice.
So, we are definitely ambitious; that’s not the issue. Is it that we’re not confident enough when it comes to “doing business,” in job applications, and negotiations? Or are we simply too busy with all those peripheral activities and “side issues,” and we consciously choose to keep doing this instead of applying for a management position or CFO role? Just because we don’t want to? Do we therefore lack focus on ourselves, and if so, is that bad?
It’s a different story if we want to, but don’t get the chance. That’s something we all need to address. My advice: if you are ambitious and want to grow, find an ‘ally,’ someone who can help and promote you. I’ve always had allies (sometimes unknowingly), both men and women. Soon, I hope to take on this role myself in an organization that helps young people in Amsterdam with their first steps on the career ladder. Additionally, I would love to support female entrepreneurs in my field with financial challenges, especially when they often face men in these situations—bankers, lawyers, and private equity firms. Men are often more convincing in debates, and this can be disadvantageous, especially on a topic where you have less knowledge or interest.
Ultimately, it’s about society being open to diversity, as everyone benefits from it. I always tell my daughters: “You are your own self.” You are allowed to be who you are, you don’t have to compare yourself to others, and you can choose your own path. We don’t have to do anything, but we can do everything. As long as we are given that opportunity, we’re okay. Every woman has her own top leader inside her.
