The Rise of She-EOs: From 60% women to 51% female leaders
The business world has long grappled with the challenge of achieving true gender equality, with many companies struggling to move beyond surface-level initiatives and instigate meaningful change. Boasting a 60% female workforce globally and a leadership team with 51% women in senior management roles, The Hong Kong-based flexible workspace provider TEC demonstrates a focus on gender parity.
Diversity isn't just a box to tick for The Executive Centre (TEC), it’s a strategic imperative that fuels innovation and propels growth, according to Chelsea Perino, Managing Director of Global Marketing and Communications at TEC. Their multi-pronged approach transcends quotas and celebrates an intersectional approach to inclusion.
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More than half of the senior management of the company are women, and five out of seven regions (71%) are headed by female leaders.
"While we're proud of this progress," said Chelsea, "we remain dedicated to continued advancement and amplifying female voices in leadership."
TEC also offers specialised leadership development programmes designed to enhance the skills of women within the organisation. "We established mentoring programs," affirmed Perino, "pairing senior leaders with high-potential female employees to provide guidance, support, and opportunities for professional growth."
They regularly track the representation of women in leadership positions, a clear metric of their progress. The company with over 1,400 employees globally, conducts employee surveys in order to assess the experiences of its female employees and determine engagement metrics.
An intersectional approach to diversity
While gender representation is a key focus, TEC recognises the importance of an intersectional approach to diversity and inclusion. The company promotes diversity across dimensions such as race, ethnicity, nationality, age, and sexual orientation, ensuring that its workforce reflects the communities it serves.
"Our recruitment practices prioritise equal opportunities for all, and our leadership development initiatives encourage and support individuals with diverse backgrounds to reach leadership positions," Perino stated. "With a presence in over 200+ Centres across 33 cities, we also actively promote the recruitment of local talent, prioritising the hiring of individuals from the communities in which we operate."
They encourage senior women leaders to contribute pro-bono to organisations like the American Chamber of Commerce's Women of Influence Committee Urban Land Institute’s Women’s Leadership Initiative, and the British Chamber of Commerce’s Women In Business programme. This allows them to uplift and empower women across a broader spectrum.
To tackle the challenge of unconscious bias, the company provides training and education. This approach raises awareness and helps mitigate bias within decision-making processes.
"We empower our employees to self-reflect and recognise their own biases," explained Perino. "Encouraging open dialogue and acknowledging individual differences fosters a truly inclusive environment." Flexible work policies further support an inclusive culture and recognise that not everyone works the same way.
Future goals and priorities
The company has set ambitious goals to further advance gender equality within its ranks, including maintaining an equal split of women in both employee demographics and in management roles.
"We have developed a new product vertical, TEC Recruit, that is specifically conscious of equitable hiring practices and promotion of diversity," Perino shared. "This ensures that we are recruiting from a broader pool of candidates and creating opportunities for those from non-traditional backgrounds."
To embed diversity and inclusion into its core values and operations, the company promotes leadership accountability to champion inclusivity within their teams.
"We believe this, coupled with continuous evaluation and feedback mechanisms, empowers us to build a truly inclusive workplace," added Perino.
"We celebrate and empower women every day," concluded Perino.
The Executive Centre's commitment to diversity and inclusion aligns with a growing trend in the business world. Research suggests that diverse workforces can foster innovation, growth, and long-term success.
TEC's initiatives showcase how a company can implement these principles, serving as a valuable example for others to emulate.
