Brazil’s roaring economy is, in no small part, due to the leadership of pragmatic, educated women.
Ever-increasing numbers of women are entering the American workplace, continuing a pattern that has been going on for the last 40 years. However, there are still mountains to climb and rivers to cross as professional women attempt to break through the glass ceiling of corporate America and enter leadership positions. To expedite the process, women managers are always looking for effective advancement methods. Perhaps one of the best lessons to study is the success of women in Brazil, where they had to overcome significant stereotyping before moving ahead in the business world. Today, the new “Brazilian Model” is showing substantive progress by using success strategies based in pragmatism and technical education to propel women into leadership positions.
In the past, Brazil was socially vibrant but economically quiet. That has changed dramatically in the past few years. There is nothing slow about Brazil’s economy nowadays, as the largest country in Latin America becomes a giant of global commerce. Interestingly, women have played a major role in the growth of Brazil, and that is more than simple rhetoric. Statistics indicate the participation of women in the Brazilian labor pool grew from 44 percent in 1985 to 59 percent in 2007, which is a figure just two points below the average reported by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
There is clear evidence Brazilian women are breaking free of old stereotypes and forming an integral part of the labor market. Women are instrumental in creating the new economy through their leadership abilities.
A New Economy Needs New Leadership
To understand how important women are to Brazil, look to the presidential office. Dilma Rousseff became the nation’s president in 2011 and is a driving force behind major entrepreneurial efforts. The pragmatism she brings to the table inspires other Brazilian women.
Once a radical politician, President Rouseff spent time in prison during the days of the Brazilian military dictatorship. As president, rather than pursue a course of extreme socialism, Rouseff advocates a pro-growth economic policy that offers incentives for small business operators. This commitment to progress is one of the reasons why a Brazilian opinion poll in June 2012 gave her a 77 percent approval rating. Her ability to make the right decisions for the country, rather than pursue a personal agenda, has turned her into a Brazilian Model for successful women in powerful leadership positions.
Traditionally, Brazil is well-known for having women in positions as models and domestic servants. However, there are women who have competently broken through the glass ceiling in male-dominated industries. For example, Maria das Gracas Foster is now the head of Petrobras, the state-controlled oil company. One of her colleagues, Magda Chambriard, is the new head of the National Petroleum Agency. The promotion of women to leadership positions in businesses typically ruled by men does not come as much of a surprise to insiders. They note that das Gracas Foster and Chambriard, both appointed by Rouseff, are educated as chemical engineers.
Networking and Role Models are Essential Ingredients
Rather than reflecting any pro-gender nepotism, the past record of each woman strongly points to promotions based on merit, not politics or gender. However, it did take a role model like Rousseff in a position of authority to provide das Gras Foster and Chambriard the opportunities needed to advance. Networking among professionals proved to be the final impetus for advancement, but it is only a successful strategy if the women themselves are fully qualified.
Education, particularly in technology, is becoming more important as the country continues to progress. Women in Brazil eagerly take advantage of educational opportunities, and are more likely to attend a university than their male colleagues. Consequently, the literacy rate for men and women is almost equal.
Roughly one-third of the workforce in Brazilian technology is comprised of women, which is unusually high for a Latin American country and demonstrates the growing appeal of this industry. There is also increasing awareness that technical education and expertise are major vehicles for women to become successful in future years. Academia is supporting the movement of women towards technology careers, and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences sponsors a number of initiatives to increase computer literacy among women.
Lessons to be Learned
Women in the United States occasionally use ideology and promoting gender balance as a correction of past discrimination when addressing issues like corporate representation. The women leaders in Brazil do not focus on the past. Like President Rouseff, the head of the Brazilian Secretariat for Women’s Affairs, Elenora Menicucci, spent time in prison during the military dictatorship. Once coming into positions of authority, neither woman felt the urge to take any kind of revenge in the form of show trials or suggestions of reparations. Instead, Rouseff and her female colleagues are working to create a legal system that provides justice for all Brazilian peoples, including women and minorities. This effort is providing yet more continued opportunities for women in Brazil.
Pragmatism does not mean ignoring issues such as child care and reproduction rights, but it does mean that success strategies like promoting entrepreneurship and micro loans take front seat in creating a more gender sensitive economy. Rouseff has appointed no fewer than ten women to Cabinet positions, and there appears to be general acceptance of her actions.
Chambriard and das Gracas Foster hold commanding positions in petroleum because of their technical expertise and not due to enforcement of anti-discrimination policies. Chambriard and Foster were ready for promotion when the time came. Without the right educational background, they would have been unable to advance.
The Brazilian model, success through pragmatism and technological education, is proving to be working extremely well in one of the largest economies in the world. It is a strategy that holds lessons for U.S. women as they strive for leadership positions.