Why women need more than hard work to build a successful career
Many women still believe in a simple rule of career success: if you work hard, you will eventually get ahead. But reality often looks different. While women save projects, work overtime, and keep teams together, something else frequently determines the next career step: visibility.
Or, as Katharina Lages-Willner puts it:
“A career is not a hard work contest.”
The founder of HeartBrain Consulting and Co-President of Business and Professional Women (BPW) Germany has been advocating for greater visibility of women in business and politics for years. Through her work with BPW, she is also involved internationally in gender equality initiatives, including collaborations within the environment of the United Nations and UN Women.
In conversation with Belle&Yell, she explains why performance alone is often not enough for women’s careers — and which strategies can actually help women move forward.
Good work is not enough
Many women believe in a principle that could be described as career through performance: work hard and sooner or later you will be discovered.
But this logic rarely works in many organizations.
“We have tried the ‘hard-working good girl model’ long enough – and it hasn’t led us to success.”
Of course, performance matters. But it is only one part of the career puzzle. Other factors are just as important, including:
- visibility within the company
- strategic networks
- presence among decision-makers
- clear positioning
For women in particular, this means that good work alone is rarely enough to build a career.
Many prefer to stay at their desks and perfect their projects. Others attend industry events, introduce themselves, exchange business cards — and are seen.
And those who are seen are remembered.
The glass ceiling is real
Despite progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership positions. In particular, the share of female executives in top management of large companies is still low.
The so-called glass ceiling describes this phenomenon: women hit invisible barriers despite their qualifications and experience.
Because when leadership positions are filled, additional factors often play a role:
- informal networks
- strategic alliances
- power structures within organizations
Competence alone rarely determines promotion.
Career requires strategy
Careers rarely happen by chance. Successful careers often follow a clear strategy.
Katharina Lages-Willner therefore likes to describe career planning as a game of chess:
- Who makes the decisions?
- What interests drive those people?
- How can I make my topics visible?
For women especially, it can be crucial to think strategically and build networks, instead of waiting to be discovered.
A common mistake: women assume that performance will automatically be recognized.
But careers rarely work that way.
Anyone who wants to move forward should clearly communicate:
- what achievements they have delivered
- what goals they are pursuing
- which position they want to reach next
Because leaders can only promote people they know.
Success has many forms
Another myth: success automatically means becoming a board member or joining the executive suite.
But not every career has to end in the C-suite.
Many women shape companies, society, and politics in meaningful ways outside those positions.
The most important rule therefore is:
“Believe in yourself more than in the expectations of others.”
Because ultimately, a career means one thing above all: following your own path.
Definition: Women’s careers
A women’s career describes the professional advancement of women within organizations and companies. In addition to professional performance, factors such as visibility, networks, and strategic positioning play a crucial role.
Facts: Women in leadership
- Women in leadership positions in Germany: approx. 29%
- Women on executive boards of major companies: below 20%
- Gender pay gap in the EU: approx. 13%
These figures show that the path toward greater equality in business and leadership is still long.
FAQ: Women’s careers
Why do women often advance more slowly in their careers?
Besides performance, networks, visibility, and access to decision-makers play a major role.
What helps women advance professionally?
Strategic career planning, professional networks, and clear positioning.
Is career success only about performance?
No. Performance is important, but structural factors often influence career opportunities as well.