Research conducted at University of Buffalo School of Management confirms that gender bias is still a big issue for women seeking c-level positions. Communal, nurturing traits that women are more likely to display aren’t viewed as leader-like. We still award dominating male behaviors with leadership roles, even when team-building skills are lacking.

If you’re a hiring manger, or you are in a position to influence hiring decisions, be mindful of unintentional bias and control for it. Make sure your interview and selection panel is diverse. Train them on the impact of unconscious bias and implicit assumption on the selection process.

A recommendation: have each panel member take an Implicit Assumption Test, regardless of gender, race, age, sexual orientation, or experience as an interviewer. Bias is so deeply rooted, that even the most open-minded may be surprised by the results.