Reference no: EM132871014

Lisa Weber never doubted that she would be a partner in her Wall Street firm. A graduate of a prestigious business school with a doctorate in Economics, she had taught briefly at a major university. She was the first woman hired as a market analyst in her well-regarded firm. Within 2 years she has become one of four senior portfolio managers reporting directly to a senior partner. Her clients give her the highest commendations for her outstanding performance; over the past 2 years she has brought in the largest number of new accounts in the firm.

Despite the admiration of her peers who often visit her office to discuss in private her opinions on market performance and financial projections, Lisa is dismayed that no one including the partners feel it necessary to bring her up to speed on "trouble spots" or mention that she knows as much as they what is going on in the firm. Despite this Lisa does not protest these issues or mention the daily private meetings where her advice is sought. As the only woman executive, she prefers to be considered a team player and one of the boys.

After one of her comparatively less experienced male peers whose performance she surpassed was promoted to partner and having heard no word on her path to partnership she asked her boss about the possibility. He replied "you're doing great but what happens if you make a huge mistake? How would you take it? And what about our clients? There's never been a female partner in the 103 years of our firm" Soon after a female market analyst Pamela Tobias was hired and the CEO Michael Breyer once called out to the men and said "hey guys, two women in one room, that's scary" on seeing Lisa and Pamela together in one room.

In the next 6 months Lisa meets several times with the CEO to make her case for partnership based on her successful performance however she realizes that there is no possibility of change in the foreseeable future and decides to leave and form her own investment firm.

QUESTIONS

1. Define and explain the meaning of the term 'Glass ceiling'

2. With use of examples, briefly illustrate what barriers to advancement Lisa encountered in the case.

3. Using your knowledge of the Great man theory of Leadership comment on whether you believe its perspective would have supported the m company bias against women

4. Identify and Explain any FOUR (4) types of organizational actions or policies the organization could have implemented that might have either prevented or minimized the negativity towards Lisa and Pamela

5. Do you believe it would have been beneficial to the organization in any way to have Lisa promoted to the position of Partner? If so, using your knowledge of women in organizations, clearly identify and explain FOUR (4) benefits to support your answer.

6. Identify any 2 countries with positive female representation at managerial levels. Comment on why you believe this pattern exists in those countries