Leaders take notice: a crisis is brewing.

Today, U.S. businesses are losing some of their very best talent – educated, experienced women – in what may be the largest talent drain ever.

Why? The balance of work and family, for many, is exacting too high a price.

Statistics indicate a disturbing trend that those abandoning their careers are largely high-achieving women, whose jobs tend to demand longer hours, who carry more responsibility and whose absence arguably makes the greatest impact on business. Whether they are pushed away by an unforgiving work environment or pulled away by the lure of family life, one thing is clear: for high-achieving women, life balance is becoming an increasing impossibility.

Business women play a special role in addressing this issue. Because we understand the issue so intimately – whether directly through our own experiences or indirectly through the women around us-we can consciously make an effort to pave the way for a healthier approach to success that honors career and quality of life. The well-being of businesses and the women within them are at stake.

What can be done to retain talented women? Many prominent solutions include company wide policy changes, such as paid parenting … Read More