Corporations signal that women leaders fuel diversity and innovation

(BACC Board member Nan Nelson provides the first of four summaries of BACC findings in its Economic Transformation Signal Team report)

Inclusive corporate cultures have a competitive edge, according to new study results (see reference list)—better products, sales growth and share performance. Innovation, enabling success in today’s fast-changing, disruption-filled competitive world, is the key characteristic of these inclusive companies.

Companies with above-average gender diversity on their boards and top management are more likely to have these inclusive cultures. Women bring work styles that include enhanced communication skills, empathy, less ego and more measured risk-taking.

Inclusive corporate cultures have a competitive edge, according to new study results (see reference list below)—better products, sales growth and share performance. Innovation, enabling success in today’s fast-changing, disruption-filled competitive world, is the key characteristic of these inclusive companies.

Companies with above-average gender diversity on their boards and top management are more likely to have these inclusive cultures. Women bring work styles that include enhanced communication skills, empathy, less ego and more measured risk-taking.

How to achieve this gender-diversity and inclusion?
• The courage, process and pipeline to consider board candidates not personally known to current leaders.
• Insure that equal numbers of women take the first big step: promotion to first level management positions.

How are we doing?
• Wisconsin similar to national average
• No local data available

Reference list

Holger, Dieter. "Business Case for More Diversity," Wall Street Journal, October 26, 2019 (subscription required).

Huang, Jess et all. "Women in the Workplace 2019," McKinsey & Company, October 15, 2019.

Lorenzo, Rocio et all. "How Diverse Leadership Teams Boost Innovation," BCG Henderson Institute, January 23, 2018.


Sancier-Sultan, Sandra and Sperling-Magro, Julia. “Taking the Lead for Inclusion” McKinsey & Company, November 19, 2019.

Savchuk, Katia. "Do Investors Really Care About Gender Diversity?" Insights by Stanford Business, September 17, 2019.


Zenger, Jack and Folkman, Joseph. "Research: Women Score Higher Than Men in Most Leadership Skills," Harvard Business Review, June 25, 2019.


Responding to "How COVID-19 is Reshaping Our World"
Phil Hauck, BACC Board Member

I recently reviewed a presentation by the well known Atlantic Magazine author and futurist Derek Thompson, "How COVID-19 is Reshaping Our World." Thompson delivered the 75 minute broadcast on July 10, 2020.

He raises some interesting points:

  • Large businesses will prosper, and the number of small businesses will shrink, especially small retailers.
  • There will be a global decline in immigration.
  • Restaurants will be revolutionized; take out and delivered, ready to eat food will increase dramatically.
  • The rate of increase of e-commerce will continue to grow.
  • Remote work will be an earthquake (note well closing of WPS in downtown Green Bay and shrinking number of AMS office workers in Howard.
  • Education will also undergo severe change.
  • As cities become less populated, rent prices will become more affordable.
  • Government deficit spending will result in increased economic stimulation by new entrepreneurs.

Thompson is worth a look; how will or will not his projections affect you, your organization, your family, and our broader community? If you drink the Thompson juice, what adaptations will you make NOW?