Growing the representation of women in leadership: A business imperative IBM Microelectronics´ PowerUp initiative

Over its 101 year history, IBM has had a strong commitment to diversity and the advancement of women. IBM hired women before women could vote in the United States, had documented CEO commitment to “same work for equal pay” decades before the Equal Pay Act, and had a woman Vice President in 1943. At IBM the commitment to diversity has been not just a moral imperative, but a business imperative. There isn´t a “right or wrong” style, but we must adopt the leadership and communication styles that enables us to leverage our resources and improve business results. The GSA Workshops have equipped our entire management team with a common language which they now use in discussions of styles and behaviors. They can now ask for precise feedback to help each improve their effectiveness as leaders.