Given the evolution of the workplace, women are taking on greater and greater levels of responsibility. In addition, they realize they need new skills. Earlier this month, the international staffing agency Randstad issued a report detailing results of ongoing surveys that are part of the Randstad Engagement Index. This latest study highlighted women’s insights and perspectives on work and employee engagement, as well as how women view the economy’s impact on their jobs.
 
In this report, respondents rated "flexibility" and "adaptability" as top skills needed to succeed in the workplace. In fact, 51 percent reported these skill sets as one of the top two most important, followed by "knowledge of technology" (selected by 37 percent) and "teamwork" (selected by 35 percent), respectively.
 
Randstad believes (and we agree) "it is critical that companies not lose sight of what it takes to successfully identify, retain and engage high-potential women." Additionally, it is imperative for companies to have "a clearly defined strategy for developing women [into] the top roles," while ensuring that they will be considered, when the opportunities arise.
 
With the current academic superiority of women in our schools, their higher graduation rates and their better ratings as leaders, developing women leaders will not be optional. Either companies will begin to recognize the substantial resource they have in their women leaders or they will find themselves trailing the competition.