Problem

• Lack of specific leadership preparation
  
• Exemption from job opportunities

Solution

• Other specific leadership preparation

What can be done

• Some companies offer formal leadership development programmes (either women specific or general), consisting of enhancing various skills for leadership
  
• Leadership preparation programmes provide a broad range of activities, covered under related templates:
  
• Functional skill trainings,
  
• Self assessments and competency evaluation,
  
• Coaching and mentoring
  
• Offer or sponsor women also for external leadership preparation programmes via:
  
• Leadership preparation consultancies
  
• Specific leadership certificates, programmes, seminars or MBAs/ executive MBA

How to make it work / tips & tricks

• Encourage and educate women to take charge of their own career planning and needs with both short and long term goals
  
• Include women in succession planning: Make executable plans for developing current and future women leaders
  
• Note differences in approach for succession planning:
  
• Some companies might keep entire process confidential to relieve pressure and avert personnel conflicts (not even the chosen few know who they are)
  
• Others make them visible and known
  
• Tip: Formal leadership development programmes offer networking opportunities, provide more visibility of high potential women to top management and thus increase consideration of women for potential leadership positions