Companies are promising to help their female employees succeed at work, but many are struggling to make it happen. A new study from the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership has some answers. It turns out that women thrive at work not because of vacations or special perks, but because they can make a real difference.

But what does it mean to thrive at work? A survey of women of all ages found that thriving means making a positive impact, learning, and feeling appreciated. For managers, this means giving women important projects, offering opportunities to learn, and recognizing their efforts in a way that matters to them.

So, how important is it for women to thrive? Very important! 96% of the women in the study said it was extremely or very important. Some of them felt like they were thriving most of the time (42%), and others felt like they were thriving some of the time (49%). 81% said their companies are committed to helping them thrive. Women of color were even more likely to say thriving at work was extremely important.

Thriving matters

Why does thriving at work matter? Well, for individuals, it makes them happier, more confident, engaged, and inspired. When women feel they’re thriving, they also work harder, go the extra mile, and do their best work.

What gets in the way of thriving? The biggest issue women pointed to was having too much work. They said it made them feel bad, drained their energy, and made it hard to juggle all their tasks.

So, what can managers do to help women thrive? They can give women more control over their work, make it safe for them to take risks, and offer opportunities to learn and grow. They should also make sure the workload is manageable and encourage women to take time off when needed. And for women looking to thrive, building strong relationships and seeking out chances to learn and grow can help.