And which category would that be?
Somewhat concerningly, it’s CEOs of the female variety.
Research from two business-school professors at the University of British Columbia indicates that blonde women are far more likely to end up in the CEO’s chair than women with any other hair color.
Just 2% of the world’s population and 5% of white people in the U.S. are blonde, comparing to 48% of female CEOs at S&P 500 companies, the study found.
The same rule doesn’t appear to apply to men: a study in 2005 found that just over 2% of male Fortune 500 CEOs were blonde.
The discrepancy appears to challenge the stereotype of the dumb blonde, although Professor Jennifer Berdahl says this may not actually be the case.
“Our data suggest that blonde women are not only assumed to be younger than their darker haired counterparts, but are also judged to be less independent-minded and less willing take a stand than other women and than men,” she writes in her blog.
“In other words, Barbie can be CEO as long as she is young and/or docile, or being blonde might allow her to be older and more forceful than she otherwise could be.”
And if female CEOs are dying their hair blonde, there may be something strategic about the choice, Berdhal told the Huffington Post.
“If the package is feminine, disarming and childlike, you can get away with more assertive, independent and [stereotypically] masculine behavior,” she said.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
