LBS study shows addition of women to teams improves performance - Building Gender Balanced Business

An important research paper from the Centre for Women in Business at the London Business School showed that the optimal gender balance for teams driving innovation in firms is 50:50.

The study was based on a survey sent to 100 teams.

• The optimal percentage for the gender balance of men and women on teams is 50:50.
• Neither men nor women flourish when in a minority on teams. When in a minority, women tend to network outside whereas men tend to become less motivated.
• Having a slight majority of women on teams (about 60%) improves the self-confidence of the team.
• Male team leaders were more likely to work “significantly” longer hours than their female counterparts. As a result male team leaders may suffer from exhaustion. The report said it was “crucial” that companies “urgently consider” ways to combat the long-hours culture.
• At the same time, women team leaders were six times more likely to perform the domestic labour duties at home than men.
• 96% of the male team leaders who responded had children, compared to only 48% of the female team leaders.
• The male team leaders were also more likely to have young children.