Research by the Commission for Equality and Human Rights has revealed a ‘glass ceiling’ holding back women in managerial positions across the business sector.
Despite this Kent County Council prides itself on having 50 per cent of its 39 director-level positions filled by women. It is one of the few public bodies in the UK to reach this level of inclusion and is determined that this continues.
To pass on this message to small and medium-sized businesses the county council’s training arm, Kent Learning and Development, is running a series of Women in Leadership programmes.
The courses are designed to prepare female managers from all sectors – private, public and voluntary – for the challenges of leading at a senior level.
Course leader Hugh Martyn said: “The purpose of the course is to groom women for senior management positions in all kinds of business. It is hoped that this coaching service will help women working in male-dominated environments reach their full potential and enable them to overcome any limiting barriers or beliefs.”
Other benefits of the course are to help women:
- Achieve business and personal goals.
- Deal with difficult situations.
- Increase motivation.
- Improve performance.
- Assist with developing coping mechanisms when under pressure.
- Reduce stress.
- Develop strategies to achieve their objectives.
- Increase job satisfaction.
- Present themselves in ways that increase their effectiveness as a leader and communicator.
