The Broken Rung: What It Means for Women’s Career Progression

March 5, 2026

By Nina Hobson

While girls outperform boys at school and college, upon entering the workforce the balance tips against women. This downwards slide continues over a women’s career: for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 81 women (including 77 women of colour) are promoted. Published this year, The Broken Rung delves into this phenomenon to explore why it might be happening, what can be done, and the benefits of reform.

Authors Ellingrud, Yee, and Martínez are senior partners at McKinsey & Company. They conclude that a lack of promotion at the early career stage is especially detrimental on women’s long-term success. Missing early promotions compound over time to limit women’s development, they argue.

Their robust research suggests that men get more value from career experience than women. To address this ‘broken rung’ on the career ladder, readers are advised to be more intentional in planning for their future.

This means identifying skills gaps and intentionally and strategically building up ‘experience capital’. Key actions include acknowledging global trends and technological advances, identifying skills of potential value, and addressing gaps in resumés. Furthermore, focusing on network quality over network quantity, by making a considered effort to nurture useful relationships over the long term is essential.

While aimed at women, The Broken Rung offers sage advice to all. The coaching industry is growing and shifting, with more coaches entering the market and technological advances such as artificial intelligence making their impact.

At Barefoot, we are delighted to see more people train in coaching, whether this is aimed at embracing a coaching style at work, supporting personal development, or becoming a coach. For those looking to become a coach, we are explicit that the route is not effortless or simplistic. Rather, coaches will need insight, dedication, and business mindedness to succeed.

Our ICF accredited coach training is delivered by practising coaches who can offer guidance on pitching, networking, and branding. Meanwhile our Women’s Development Programme offers a space for participants to explore practical solutions together, taking inspiration from psychological theories and coaching models. The Broken Rung is a great companion to our programmes, with clear, actionable advice drawn from extensive research and interviews with leaders.

With powerful stories, and evidence-based approach, the book offers a wakeup call for those hesitant or fearful to take the next step in managing their career.

The Broken Rung is explicitly aimed at female leaders, and we are aware that some of our Barefoot community might find the stories contextually narrow. However, we hope that the material offers inspiration and guidance on building your own professional path ahead.

We trust you will find the book useful and look forward to hearing your comments.

Visit McKinsey.com for more details.

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