The Perceived Challenges of Women in Leadership Positions That Prevent Them from Climbing the Corporate LadderIntroductionFor years, women have faced prejudice sexism in the business environment. Men have dominated the workplace, making it difficult for women to gain power and leadership. Gender bias has become problematic for career-oriented women, creating barriers such as stereotyping, career advancement, power imbalance and unequal pay. Hymowitz and Schellhardt (1986) described challenges as invisible barriers, a glass ceiling that prevents women from reaching a certain level in various institutions. Arfken, Bellar, and Helms (2004) defined it as an invisible barrier that prevents minorities and women from reaching leadership positions. For example, among Fortune 500 companies, more than 83 percent have no women among their five highest-paid executives, and 18 percent have no women in these positions (Catalyst, 2000). Statistics confirm the existence of a glass ceiling in the workplace. It is unfortunate that women face such challenges. Despite the obstacles, there is hope for (minority) women around the world to successfully climb the corporate ladder. Only by developing strategies such as: a) performance, dealing with discrimination, b) understanding and identifying sexist culture and circumventing it and c) educating women to break the glass ceiling (De Morsella, 2006). Finally having the opportunity to break the glass ceiling and climb to the top of the corporate ladder is a triumphant event for women. .. middle of paper...... Review, 32(2), 549-572. doi:10.5465/AMR.2007.24351856 Schein, VE (2001). A global look at the psychological obstacles to the progression of women in management. Journal of Social Issues, 57(4), 675-688. Tharenou, P. (1999). Gender differences in advancement to the top. International Journal Of Management Reviews, 1(2), 111. Tien, J. S. (1986). A Long and Winding Road: Chinese Women and Judith Stacey's Patriarchy and Socialist Revolution in China. " US-China Review, 10 (2), 10-12. Townsend, B. (1996). Room at the Top. American Demographics, July 28-37 US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2005). Economic and Labor Projections 'employment. Bureau of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, United States Department of Labor, Washington, DC, 217-225. Wolf, WC and Fligstein, N. (1979). the workplace. 58:94–107.