Ask the Business Coach Joyce K. Reynolds is an expert Business Coach who works with CEOs, Sr. Execs, entrepreneurs and countless others providing knowledge, solutions, motivation and support that assist her clientele in successfully meeting workplace challenges. Find out more about Joyce's coaching practice. Glass Ceiling Question: What do feel are the stereotypes today that women are faced with most in trying to move up in an organization. What are the ways to get around them, if any? Raven Answer: While thousands of women are present in professions that were once male-dominated, the representative numbers at the highest levels - particularly in corporate America - are still quite low. (Women make up only 3% of the top corporate officers in the companies that comprise the Fortune 500). One of the primary, 'stereotypical' reasons for women's limited upward mobility is simply that they are females competing in a business world that is still operating with a 'why can't a woman be more like a man?' mentality. Other experts say it's a result of the usual excuses for not 'trusting' women in the highest leadership situations. They're not strong enough. They're too conciliatory. Too emotional. They don't know how to 'play the game.' On the opposite end, women need to work against stereotypes of being inappropriately ambitious, too driven, too serious or absent of a sense of humor. Also to contend with is the covert bias that leads organizations to not 'risk' putting women in pivotal positions - the belief that they will, ultimately, want to split their attentions in order to bear and become primary caregivers to children. There are no simple, pat answers to overcoming these problems and misconceptions but there are some smart directions to pursue. Women interested in reaching top posts need to study both the organizational chart and the corporate culture of any firm they are considering. Both will reveal how well that company's women are treated on the job. Once in place, women should never employ extreme strategies such as trying to 'out-macho' men or, on the other end, angling for that promotion using feminine wiles. Leveraging gender to get ahead - even if it will work - is never good business. Women will succeed at the highest levels if they strive for balance, remaining true to themselves and their values as they seek to improve their career standings. They must consistently demonstrate excellent skills, creativity, the vision and ability to help transform their organizations in more forward-thinking directions. Cultivating traits for success such as high threshold for risk, collaborative style, working from a platform of open communications and flexibility is essential. Women also need to be self-examining - asking themselves what are the ideas - such as not being able to successfully balance work/family - that might contribute to their inability to advance in the workplace. They must uncover any fears that are preventing them from even trying to advance and work in self-correcting directions that will prevent any miscommunication of their career desires. If women are to move the workplace away from the old boys' network to a workplace based on merit, performance, and skill - a workplace that will be more open to women at the top - they have to forget about breaking the glass ceiling and aim to break out of the whole box. Today, we have more women role models and things have changed though, clearly, still not enough. They will continue to change as women demonstrate their intelligence and vision and as they deliver excellent results while maintaining good business/life balance. The key, Raven, is to know your stuff then demonstrate talent, enthusiasm and confidence. When you get promoted, keep pushing. Build solid, respectful relationships. Cultivate general problem-solving skills. Know how to communicate with strength in clear business terms. Pay attention to the larger skills that aren't gender-driven. The opportunities are there -- you just have to uncover them. In short, don't focus on being female -- focus on getting the job done. That's what will turn your dreams of reaching the top into reality. Also see: • Ask Joyce your workplace questions • More questions • One-on-one business coaching Disclaimer: The information in this column is intended to provide the reader with general ideas or concepts to be used as part of a broader base of knowledge they collect to determine their own best course of action and solutions most suitable for solving their workplace challenges. The information in this column is not guaranteed to be the appropriate solution for each individual.