Women in industry still under glass ceiling: report

Women working in the insurance industry continue to fight challenges that affect their professional development, according to the Women in Insurance Leadership Insight Report.
The research study was released on Sept. 21 at the Insurance Networking News Women in Insurance Leadership Forum in National Harbor, Md.
This comes on the heels of a Conference Board of Canada study, which found that women’s advancement to senior management has come to a dead-halt since the 1980s.
The number of women executives could be a lot higher if the right support was put into place for women leaders and rising stars, according to Potential Unlimited.
One of the top reasons that women are not being promoted to or staying in senior roles is due to the lack of mentorship programs they receive from their employers, according to the Insight Report.
“I work with women executives all the time in my Women In Leadership program who need more support,” said Carey-Ann Oestreicher, chief engagement officer at Potential Unlimited.
The company has set out some top tips for female leaders and high potentials:
1. be true to yourself;
2. speak up and share your ideas;
3. it’s okay to take risks and make mistakes;
4. get your mind and body in shape to go the distance;
5. work with a coach and mentor;
6. don’t try to be all things to all people;
7. sell yourself; and
8. find a networking group of other women to join for support. If you can’t find a suitable one, create it yourself.