As women in corporate communications, we often find ourselves in a field where the presence and contribution of women are not only equal but often surpass that of our male counterparts. The perception of a “glass ceiling” in corporate communications might feel incongruent given the high proportion of female professionals here compared to traditionally male-dominated fields. Yet, the experience of a glass ceiling in broader corporate environments is undeniable, with countless career-driven women facing barriers that still affect their growth and representation at executive levels.
My journey through more than 25 years in marketing, communications, and strategy has given me a distinctive perspective. While I have indeed encountered bias, my career has also been rich with countless opportunities and supportive professional networks. The question then becomes, how do we address the concept of the glass ceiling meaningfully, particularly in a profession where women are, in many ways, better placed to succeed?
Understanding the “Glass Ceiling” in Context
The concept of a glass ceiling, while valid, is also often a limiting label. In some ways, it risks creating a psychological boundary before any real-world limits have had the chance to manifest. This is not to downplay the barriers faced by women but to shift the focus to opportunity, resilience, and redefining our approach to engaging with the hurdles we may encounter. I shared insights from the early years of my career, in a chapter titled ‘Shed the Labels’ in a co-authored book, She Dares. In it, I invite people to shed the labels and focus on learning, development, performing, and growing. These labels can sometimes be weights holding us down and preventing us from soaring & thriving.
Corporate Communications: A Field Where Women Thrive
Corporate communications stands out as one of the few fields where women have not only established a strong presence but also have access to a broad range of growth opportunities. According to a 2022 study by PWC on employment trends in the MENA region, women comprise an estimated 60-70% of professionals in public relations, communications, and marketing roles. This contrasts with disciplines like finance or tech, where the gender gap is starkly wider, and the glass ceiling often feels more palpable.
The reasons behind this are multifaceted. Corporate communications, in its broadest definition, emphasizes skills like empathy, storytelling, and relationship-building—qualities that, while not inherently gendered, align well with interpersonal strengths that are often associated with women. Consequently, our field allows more women to reach leadership positions, provided they are equipped with the right skills, drive, and resources.
Rethinking the “Glass Ceiling” Narrative
To focus on the glass ceiling as a primary theme for career guidance risks perpetuating a limiting mindset. Instead, I encourage women (and men) to think beyond perceived boundaries. In my experience, career growth becomes more accessible when we focus on enhancing skills, building networks, and seizing opportunities, rather than seeing ourselves as confined by (in)visible barriers.
For young women stepping into this field, I often recommend a blend of ambition and adaptability. Seeking mentorship, learning to advocate for oneself, and leveraging one’s unique talents are all crucial. One of the best advice I was given in my career was to have a healthy dose of curiosity and to absorb information like a sponge. Coupling these skills with the ability to transform this information into knowledge and compelling narratives, was a powerful foundation for the value I could add to my work, clients, teams, and the organizations I served.
Practical Steps for Career Growth in Communications
Focus on Value, Not Labels: Identify what you bring to the table, whether it’s strategic insight, relationship-building, or innovative thinking. Labels like “glass ceiling” should not define or confine us but rather push us to discover our full potential.
Invest in Lifelong Learning: Corporate communications is an evolving field. It covers vast and varying subfields, such as PR, government relations, marketing, and CSR, and functions with a great deal of interdependence with adjacent functions. Maintaining a curious and fluid approach to how corporate communications can serve the business, requires constant learning.
Technology is your Friend: Corporate Communications is largely affected by the rapidly changing technologies. Rather than fearing it, I encourage you to embrace these new technologies, remain curious about them, and be open to trying them. Staying updated with the new technologies will set you apart and help you become more efficient, freeing your time for added-value tasks and creativity.
Build Diverse Networks: Surround yourself with peers and mentors who bring fresh perspectives. An inclusive network fosters both learning and visibility and is often where the best opportunities arise.
Final Thoughts: Shedding Labels, Embracing Potential
To be a career woman in corporate communications in the MENA region is to stand on the shoulders of countless trailblazers who have broken ceilings before us. But the journey is far from over. The next generation of women will benefit most if they emphasize the power of potential over the limits of labels. While we focused on women in corporate communications for this article, this advice is relevant to a broader audience of professionals. Let’s be inspired to take charge of our careers by focusing on strengths, capturing opportunities, and refusing to be defined by any glass, visible or otherwise. Together, let’s make glass ceilings a relic of the past.
