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Cloning in the Boardroom

Community concerns often come as a surprise to companies pursuing innovation and development. One of the reasons this can happen is that boards and senior management clone themselves.

They recruit others who have had similar experiences, and understand the world from the same perspective. It can be very reassuring to work with people who are just like you, but it's not very realistic.

According to an Australian Institute of Management survey the proportion of female company directors has decreased. Only 9% of company directors in the 311 medium to large companies they surveyed are female, down from 14% in 1999. Representation in smaller companies was also down, to 19% from 21% last year.

Women do experience the world differently and have much to contribute in the board room and in other areas of corporate endeavour. They are also less likely to aspire to the board room unless they are encouraged and mentored.

Is your board or business leadership team cloned?

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Quote of Note

"If you do what you did yesterday you'll be beaten. If you do today what others are doing you'll be competitive. To win you must be doing today what others will be doing tomorrow."

Rob De Castella
Australian World Champion Marathon Runner

© Kerrie Mullins-Gunst
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