thoughtleaders

A Seat at the Table

By Elizabeth Nieto
Global Head of Talent, Learning and Diversity, Marsh Inc.

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see life as a menu of opportunities: opportunity to learn, contribute, have fun, build, add value, and create a legacy. This is how I first encountered diversity as a people practice. Ten years ago, the company I was working for needed someone with passion to work on a diversity task force, and I raised my hand. I didnt know much about it, but I saw this as an opportunity to add new skills to my toolkit. I grew up in Argentina and the word diversity was not in our vocabulary. In my rushed immersion into diversity, the first thing that I learned was that while the word diversity may not be part of the conversation in many societies, the tension and possibilities that differences bring can often result in people not having a seat at the table. Removing barriers so that everyone sits at the table is the goal, yet some are still challenged with the invitation women. Despite the many successes in empowering women, numerous parity issues still exist in all areas of life. Women often work more than men, yet are paid less. Some societies still do not accept or realize change in the traditional female role. As a result, women are underpaid and often performing low-status jobs in comparison to men. This gender discrimination can affect girls and women throughout their entire lifetimes. One study indicates that at the current rate of change, working women will not achieve equal pay until after the year 2050. Thats almost 100 years after President Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act into law. The good news is that women with college degrees are gaining ground. Earnings for undergraduate women have risen by one-third since 1979, versus only 19 percent for men.
Pro f iles in D iversi t y J ourna l M Ay / j u n e 2 0 11

removing barriers so that everyone sits at the table is the goal, yet some are still challenged with the invitation - women.

Organizations can help women succeed by: establishing an inclusive work environment that provides opportunities for women to access decision-making jobs (those with P&L responsibilities); providing tools and skills to help women create a vision for themselves; encouraging women to share their aspirations; enhancing negotiation skills for women; supporting organizations that assist in the development of women; engaging senior managers as sponsors/advocate for high-potential women; encouraging women to create their own board of directors; recognizing and celebrating the contributions of women; and communicating over and over again that improving the representation of women at the top is a business priority. These actions reflect an organizations commitment to supporting the diversity and inclusion of all - regardless of ethnicity, race, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Recognizing and embracing these differences yields a legacy of experience and value and in the end - rich, vibrant and exciting conversation at the table. PDJ
Elizabeth Nieto serves as global head of talent, learning and diversity at Marsh Inc. in New York. She currently serves on the boards of A Fair Shake and Madrinas.

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