TODAY'S FEATURE
By Nancy E. Parsons
WeNews commentator
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Personality risk factors, such as worrying and retreating under stress, can undermine an otherwise strong female manager or executive. Fortunately, there are ways to curb this and help women enjoy their proven strengths.
(WOMENSENEWS)--While the glass ceiling is real and its consequences for women severe, its root cause has been elusive.
A recent study by our firm CDR Assessment Group, where I serve as president, sheds light on the huge role of personality risk factors for leadership advancement.
Most illuminating and new is that many female leaders are "worriers," a self-defeating risk factor. They lose visibility and hurt their credibility by not standing their ground and by overanalyzing.
But these findings are actually good news. Now that we have measured and can clearly pinpoint what is holding women back, we can begin implementing developmental strategies and solutions that work.
Executives should learn what personality risk factors women in their organizations have and, if they are worriers, to be partners in helping them learn more productive ways to deal with conflict and stress.