Are you a new manager? Or, perhaps you've been in a management position for a while and wondered how you can help your line reports perform and innovate more. My research has shown some practical solutions to help leaders and managers drive performance of their teams.

Only 17% of executives are female in Fortune 500 companies and 20.4% of executives are female in The Financial Times and Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 companies. Research on social networks shows one explanation for this disparity: how women, on average, are are excluded from social relationships that confer power and resources and primarily benefit men.