Many women and minorities feel that they are not evaluated by the
same standards as their male counterparts. For example, where having a
family is often considered a plus for a male executive, it can be perceived
as a hindrance for a woman who wants to reach the top. One term heard frequently
is the mommy track, which implies that a woman’s commitment to her children
limits her commitment to the company or her ability to handle the rigors of corporate
leadership.24 Indeed, women leaders frequently do give up personal time, outside
friendships, or hobbies because they still do most of the child care and housework
in addition to their business responsibilities. Exhibit 11.1 shows the discrepancy
between high-achieving men and women in terms of the time they devote to
domestic duties, based on one survey.