Top job avoidance?

Brian Horden, one of our industry bloggers, wades in to a long-running debate...

That question has appeared yet again..."why are women not at the top with more travel companies?"

My views on this subject go back in history, and then jump right into the year 2006.

My first three bosses in the travel industry were all female, and I can only repeat what I have said on many other occasions: my gratitude to these people for the knowledge, wisdom and experience which they shared has been reflected in the many successes that I have enjoyed in my travel career.

I also wonder how many women actually want some of the top jobs in our colourful industry?

So often, behind the scenes of some of the more successful companies is the strategic thinking of the female mind....the "engineer" behind the success of new thoughts, new ideas, and new systems.

And, on a slightly different "tack", customers enjoy talking to women, especially professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic women, and moving these people "upstairs" within the company so often removes the best people for face-to-face contact (how often do you see "super salespeople" retail managers working on the Foreign Exchange desk!).

Some contentious views, I am sure; and just to support some of my many thoughts on this subject, just look at the cruise business with Carol Marlow as president of Cunard, Trudy Redfern as vice president of Silversea, Lynn Narraway, director of Carnival Cruise. Or look at the women in First Choice…air and retail, and all successful

Do women want the top job, and all the "baggage" that goes with it, or would they rather be in the position of quietly driving the company forward from behind the scenes? I am sure there will be lots of thoughts on this.

Brian Hordon, director of training development, Silversea Cruises