Women more likely to achieve professional success when surrounded by other women, research suggests

Business leaders split on whether it's a neurological phenomenon or a symptom of systematic sexism

Women whose circle is either mixed-gender or predominantly male are more likely to hold lower ranking positions (Getty)

If you are a woman looking for professional success, research suggests there is one thing you can do to increase your chances – surround yourself by women, as opposed to men.

According to a new study, more than 75 per cent of women in high ranking positions have a female-dominated inner circle, or strong ties to a few women within their network who they are in frequent contact with.

Women whose circle is either mixed-gender or predominantly male are more likely to hold lower ranking positions. By contrast, men’s chances of success in the workplace is not affected by the gender makeup of their network.

The study was conducted by the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, and Northwestern University in Illinois. Researchers reviewed social and communication networks of more than 700 former graduate students from a top-ranked business school in the United States.

Business coach and human resources expert Lara Cullen believes there could be a neurological reason for the gender disparity.

“Research has shown that when women befriend other women it releases our oxytocin hormone which calms our stress levels. This same effect doesn’t happen in men when they connect with people – women or men,” she said.

Cullen explains that when we are less stressed and feel “safe" we shine brighter, have greater capacity for thought and perform better, making us more likely to be promoted.

But other business leaders see these statistics as a sign of ingrained sexism within the workplace, given that men seem less likely to promote women to higher roles.

Dominie Moss is the founder of The Return Hub, an organisation which helps women return to work in the financial sector.

She said: “Clearly the boys’ club is very much alive and well and now it looks like the women are having to start their own in order to get ahead.”

More action is needed to address this imbalance, said Moss: “It requires systemic change led from the top. Inclusive workplaces are proven to be more successful, both in terms of productivity and reducing risk.

"Any sensible CEO knows that they need to establish a structure and a culture where anyone can thrive and reach their potential, regardless of gender.”

The research found that women with a high network centrality and a female-dominated inner circle have an expected job placement level that is 2.5 times greater than women with low network centrality and a male-dominated inner circle.

Women still remain vastly underrepresented in top roles. A 2018 study from Pew Research Centre showed that in Fortune 500 companies, women make up only 22.2 per cent of board members and 4.8 per cent of CEOs.

In 2017, figures showed that in the UK women held only 12 per cent of jobs paying £150,000 or more.