Asia Pacific – Female executives feel trapped in regional roles

By memberservices@staffingindustry.com (Danny Romero)

A majority of Asian women leaders at multinational corporations feel trapped in regional roles, according to a new study by executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles.

The study, which gathered findings from 138 female senior Asian leaders in the APAC region, showed that 90% of Asian female senior leaders currently in regional roles in multinational companies with headquarters outside Asia aspire to be promoted to global roles. However, 36% are at least somewhat confident that they will be granted the opportunity. More than half, 54%, believe these barriers are a response to their ethnic background, while nearly half, 47%, feel that their gender is the main obstacle. Meanwhile, 85% are considering leaving their current companies in the next two years.

“Although there has been a focus on subjects such as women on boards and the development of the local female workforce, the research by Heidrick & Struggles reveals the difficulties of mid- to senior-level Asian female leaders who are limited to regional roles. This is the biggest glass ceiling issue that our successful female leaders are facing in this part of the world,” Alain Deniau, Partner of Heidrick & Struggles based in Hong Kong, said.

“Visionary corporations that recognise the increasing importance of Asia to their business are relocating their global headquarters to Asia,” Karen Choy-Xavier, Partner of Heidrick & Struggles said. “This move by a handful of companies serves as a great opportunity for Asian female leaders to take on global responsibilities without juggling time zone differences or perceptions that they are below average performers just because of the foreign accent they display during midnight conference calls. This requires a shift in mentality for headquarters leaders and must align with performance appraisal systems that indicate the path to global roles.”

Meanwhile, 43% of those polled are unwilling to take up global roles which would demand relocation, or participate in evening conference calls or other tasks that take away from time spent with their family. The study also showed that 19% feel that it is not culturally acceptable for women to be too ambitious, or that they would be regarded as culturally unfit by their colleagues at headquarters in terms of their communication styles. Moreover, 13% feel that it is their non-native English accent and lack of English language communication skills that hinder their progression while 48% agreed that a major barrier is that headquarters’ leaders do not pay enough attention to developing Asian women. However, 4% cited lack of capabilities and skill sets as a barrier.

“The firm’s study reminds leaders at headquarters to take notice of Asian women leaders as an untapped resource for global roles,” Steve Mullinjer, Regional Leader of Heidrick & Struggles, Asia Pacific, said. “As leadership advisors, we recognise the pressing imperatives for companies to hire and promote the brightest and those with high potential in order to stay competitive and outperform others, regardless of their nationalities, age groups, gender and cultural backgrounds. Senior management or headquarters need to embed such diversity of thinking in their organisations’ DNA to become truly diverse and inclusive organizations and drive better value to their stakeholders.”

Source:: Asia Pacific – Female executives feel trapped in regional roles