I never really thought about gender diversity until…

Until recently, I never gave much thought about the fact I was a woman in a male-dominated field. I know, many of you may find this statement surprising. The truth is I never felt I had to overcome any of the barriers that usually stall a woman’s career. I was not afraid to sit at the table and “lean in,” and always felt confident that I could “have it all,” both a professional career and a family life.

In May 2016, however, when I was appointed Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE, making me the only woman to lead one of France’s top 40 companies, it progressively dawned on me. My nomination triggered all sorts of reactions. I received many congratulatory notes from women who saw in my nomination another crack in the glass ceiling. Other people were simply curious, wondering whether my actions would reveal a different, feminine style of leadership. After careful examination, some observers were convinced that they had nailed the essence of the “feminine Leader.” As if we would believe in such generalizations regarding the “masculine Leader!” In any case, this event drew an exceptionally high degree of attention.

It became clear to me that in spite of all the progress accomplished in terms of gender equality, there was still something disquieting about women in leadership positions.

In retrospect, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

In the energy industry where I spent most of my career, women hold 13% of C-suite positions and account for only 1% of energy company CEOs. […]

> Read the entire opinion piece on LinkedIn