Why the gender gap persists and how we can close it.
For years women have made up the majority of college-educated workers in the United States. In 2019, the gap between the percentage of women and the percentage of men in the workforce was the smallest on record. But despite these statistics, women remain underrepresented in positions of power and status, with the highest-paying jobs the most gender-imbalanced. Even in fields where the numbers of men and women are roughly equal, or where women actually make up the majority, leadership ranks remain male-dominated.
The persistence of these inequalities begs the question: Why haven't we made more progress?
In Glass Half-Broken, Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg reveal the pervasive organizational obstacles and managerial actions limited opportunities for development, lack of role models and sponsors, and bias in hiring, compensation, and promotion that create gender imbalances. Bringing to light the key findings from the latest research in psychology, sociology, organizational behavior, and economics, Ammerman and Groysberg show that throughout their careers from entry-level to mid-level to senior-level positions women get pushed out of the leadership pipeline, each time for different reasons. Presenting organizational and managerial strategies designed to weaken and ultimately break down these barriers, Glass Half-Broken is the authoritative resource that managers and leaders at all levels can use to finally shatter the glass ceiling.
For years women have made up the majority of college-educated workers in the United States. In 2019, the gap between the percentage of women and the percentage of men in the workforce was the smallest on record. But despite these statistics, women remain underrepresented in positions of power and status, with the highest-paying jobs the most gender-imbalanced. Even in fields where the numbers of men and women are roughly equal, or where women actually make up the majority, leadership ranks remain male-dominated.
The persistence of these inequalities begs the question: Why haven't we made more progress?
In Glass Half-Broken, Colleen Ammerman and Boris Groysberg reveal the pervasive organizational obstacles and managerial actions limited opportunities for development, lack of role models and sponsors, and bias in hiring, compensation, and promotion that create gender imbalances. Bringing to light the key findings from the latest research in psychology, sociology, organizational behavior, and economics, Ammerman and Groysberg show that throughout their careers from entry-level to mid-level to senior-level positions women get pushed out of the leadership pipeline, each time for different reasons. Presenting organizational and managerial strategies designed to weaken and ultimately break down these barriers, Glass Half-Broken is the authoritative resource that managers and leaders at all levels can use to finally shatter the glass ceiling.
"This nuanced and comprehensive look at the gender gap hits as an impassioned cry for corporate leaders to make some serious changes." Publisher's Weekly
Advance Praise for Glass Half-Broken:
"Many have lamented that the world of work is still full of obstacles for women, but few have been able to do anything about it. This book could finally make a dent: it's packed with evidence and enlivened with examples of how organizations can finally start making real progress on gender parity." Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author, Think Again and Originals; host, TED podcast WorkLife
"This book is a call to action for all of us. Business leaders, educators, women, and male allies will discover that the glass ceiling can be shattered if we get our day-to-day practices and our formal procedures right." Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School; author, What Works: Gender Equality by Design
"We need to transform norms at home and in the workplace that continue to reinforce gender bias and make it harder for women to reach their potential. Fortunately, this book offers tools for managers and leaders to do their part to create and sustain that change." Commodore M. Jitendran, former Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
"Glass Half-Broken is a must-read for every manager and leader. Packed with insightful research, coupled with real and raw stories, this book by Ammerman and Groysberg delves deep into the issues that cause women to lose out in the leadership race." Maya Hari, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Twitter
"Ammerman and Groysberg provide a real service in terms of exposing the perceptions that still impede the progress of too many talented women at all stages of their careers. A must-read for those who either lead or aspire to lead organizations capable of competing and winning in the evolving business landscape of the twenty-first century." Ken Frazier, Chairman and CEO, Merck
"Are you a leader wondering what you can do to create a more equitable working environment? Glass Half-Broken will give you a specific set of actions you can take today to build teams that are more innovative, productive, and fair." Kim Scott, author, Radical Candor
Advance Praise for Glass Half-Broken:
"Many have lamented that the world of work is still full of obstacles for women, but few have been able to do anything about it. This book could finally make a dent: it's packed with evidence and enlivened with examples of how organizations can finally start making real progress on gender parity." Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author, Think Again and Originals; host, TED podcast WorkLife
"This book is a call to action for all of us. Business leaders, educators, women, and male allies will discover that the glass ceiling can be shattered if we get our day-to-day practices and our formal procedures right." Iris Bohnet, Albert Pratt Professor of Business and Government, Harvard Kennedy School; author, What Works: Gender Equality by Design
"We need to transform norms at home and in the workplace that continue to reinforce gender bias and make it harder for women to reach their potential. Fortunately, this book offers tools for managers and leaders to do their part to create and sustain that change." Commodore M. Jitendran, former Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Ltd.
"Glass Half-Broken is a must-read for every manager and leader. Packed with insightful research, coupled with real and raw stories, this book by Ammerman and Groysberg delves deep into the issues that cause women to lose out in the leadership race." Maya Hari, Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Twitter
"Ammerman and Groysberg provide a real service in terms of exposing the perceptions that still impede the progress of too many talented women at all stages of their careers. A must-read for those who either lead or aspire to lead organizations capable of competing and winning in the evolving business landscape of the twenty-first century." Ken Frazier, Chairman and CEO, Merck
"Are you a leader wondering what you can do to create a more equitable working environment? Glass Half-Broken will give you a specific set of actions you can take today to build teams that are more innovative, productive, and fair." Kim Scott, author, Radical Candor