A groundbreaking study from the University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University shows that women who regularly connect within female-dominated social circles are significantly more likely to secure high-level leadership roles. Over 75% of top female executives maintain such circles or nurture strong ties with two or three key women in their networks. Men, by contrast, advance through expansive networks regardless of gender balance. Yet women with male-heavy networks, like their counterparts, often end up in lower positions.
Researchers examined social and communication networks of more than 700 alumni from a premier U.S. business school, all in leadership positions normalized for industry and regional salaries. They assessed three critical factors: network centrality (overall size), homophily by sex (share of same-sex contacts), and tie strength balance (strong vs. weak connections).
Women with high centrality and female-dominated circles reach expected occupational levels 2.5 times higher than those with low centrality and male-dominated ones. For women, adding ultra-connected contacts may not boost leadership odds. While those links aid job searches and negotiations with public info, female circles deliver essential gender-specific insights vital in male-dominated workplaces.
"Inner circles mutually benefit members, as women exchange private, gender-tailored information and support, complemented by diverse ties for wider market access," explained the lead researcher.
