This question was posted on my LinkedIn page, along with these comments:
Person with question says:
My company is a perfect example of a large scale device organization with few women. Only 1 woman in an executive position and none in upper management. I have spoken with some women who say they were discouraged from pursuing management positions and have been passed over, for less qualified men.

My conclusion/response:

1. Fewer women in the sciences (narrows the first field).

2. Fewer women want to travel overnight than men (narrows the second field)

3. In my opinion, women aren’t as willing (or able) to play the political scene (drinks after work, biking on Saturday, golf later) and therefore miss the boost that it would give their career - doesn’t matter whether you think it is right or not - spend more time with the big fish, get bigger (narrows the 3rd field).

4. This may sting a little, women do not support one another and therefore don’t even have the sisterhood as a power base! I would suggest that the Palin campaign is a public highlighting of the inability of women to support one another. Women were the worst critics of Palin and said incredibly insensitive and non-job-related things about this woman (that they wouldn’t have even thought about her - had she been male).

5. Lastly, about the comment of being discouraged or passed over by the male management team: Sorry to hear that. Don’t believe everything you hear…but if it is true, you should encourage your friends to work their network, make sure their skill sets are where they should be and then find a company with a management team that will value you.

What do you think? Am I just nuts?

Now…that being said, if you do want a female medical sales manager - look no further.
At PHC Consulting, we actively seek out diversified candidates for our clients. And the clients we work with are interested in your ability to produce the results!