While the business case for increasing women’s leadership representation couldn’t be clearer, many companies aren’t doing enough to retain talented women. In fact, according to previous DDI data, women are 1.5 times more likely to feel they have to leave their companies to advance their careers than men.
The biggest driver of women’s departure is their level of trust in senior leaders. While several factors contribute to feelings of trust, a big part of trust depends on how well leaders follow through on their promises, which is one area where companies are failing.
While DEI initiatives encompass a broader spectrum than gender diversity alone, they are intertwined. According to new data analysis on women in leadership from DDI, companies with comprehensive DEI programs have an average of at least 35% women in leadership positions, compared to only 25% in companies lacking or possessing low-quality DEI programs. Shockingly, 20% of companies currently have no DEI program in place — an increase from 15% in 2020.