Continuum of care to advance women as leaders in male‐dominated industries

Abstract

Women who enter professions that have previously been male‐dominated often struggle to rise through ranks to leadership positions. Herein, we present the findings of a 12‐month cross‐sector intervention focused on embedding practices into organizations to create an inclusive organizational environment that fostered the development of women leaders. The intervention focused on three male‐dominated sectors, sport, surgery and trades. Managing the intervention was an Advisory Group that comprised researchers, and leaders from a national member Association and Organization within each sector. The Advisory Group's goal was to provide support and guidance to assist Organizations with the task of changing and challenging their values toward a feminist orientation. Post‐intervention interviews were conducted with women leaders and Advisory Group Members, to examine how Organizations can build their capacity to embed practices and policies to encourage women as leaders. Extending on a conceptualization of continuum of care across three focus areas we discuss how capabilities were affirmed through visible and accessible career pathways; the empowering potential of mentoring and networking; and creating cultures of belonging through addressing unconscious bias.