A scientist by training with a PhD in Organic Chemistry, Barbara Morgan is responsible for the Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical businesses, including the CDMO division of the Lubrizol Life Science Health unit. She is passionate about women in leadership and science and is the co-chair for Women in Lubrizol Leadership (WILL). In this series, she discusses key themes around women in the industry and offers advice for aspiring female leaders and their wider teams.
Whenever I’m asked about the ‘glass ceiling’, the answer is never straightforward. Of course, obstacles exist to women reaching leadership positions, but it doesn’t all boil down to gender. There are other factors to consider.
An often-missed point is that a glass ceiling can exist for different leadership styles irrespective of gender. In the corporate world, many of the recognised leadership qualities are typically some combination of decisiveness, dynamism and assertiveness. When an individual embodies these qualities, they align with the industry leadership ideal and is at an advantage regardless of gender. However, those with a different approach to leadership - and women often fall into this category - may be exposed to more obstacles as their characteristics go against the status quo.