International Women’s Day

If we are to create equality in the work place, we need to break down stereotypes and tackle perceptions. We can all play a role in this! Talking more openly about the challenges we face, as a business and as individuals, is helpful in not only tackling these issues, but in raising awareness and levelling the playing field. 

As leaders, we are taught to lead by example.  This notion can encourage us to talk about success, strengths and attributes, showing the way, rather than the everyday challenges we all face.  This can leave people with the feeling that their life doesn’t fit into a ‘corporate mould’ and there are few people in the business that they can relate to. This false perception is something we can all play a role in tackling.

Relatable role models are key to breaking down stereotypes and tackling perceptions.  When we aspire to climb the career ladder, we look up and emulate what we see. However, when we don’t see someone who we can relate to, it can impact your sense of belonging and your confidence to bring your authentic self to work.  Our society still carries old-fashioned stereotypes on leadership and we still hear of perceptions that men are primary earners and women are primary carers. We need relatable role models to help break down these perceptions and give people the confidence to tackle such stereotypes, ultimately creating equal opportunities for everyone. 

I am both an earner and a carer, and I want both men and women in our business to recognise that we have many leaders who, like me, aim to fulfil responsibilities at home whilst also having a fulfilling and successful career. We are just not that used to talking about life outside of work, which perhaps gives the impression that to be like us, you must be totally devoted to work!  I love my job and I’m very committed to my career.  But I am also first and foremost a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend. When I became a mum, I wanted to be hands on in raising my kids whilst continuing to have a successful and demanding career. My story or experience is not unique, and we still have work to do in order to change perceptions about life choices you need to make to enable a successful career.

We have so many amazing women in our business. Yet often I hear people say that we lack female role models. It is not unusual to hear comments such as “she works too much” or “she sends emails at the wrong time of the day” or “she doesn’t have children” or “she has too many children (or too many nannies!)”…the list goes on.  It seems to me that we are too limiting in who we are willing to consider as a role model. We are sabotaging ourselves! I have never looked at a single person and thought I want to be exactly like them.  We don’t need to take such a rigid approach to finding a role model.  Like creating a fantasy football team, or baking a cake, it’s about selecting attributes/ingredients that you admire and creating your own goals/recipe for success.

I am so pleased to see so many of you joined in the International Women’s Day celebrations over the last week.  Each of you will have played a part in inspiring someone next to you, without even knowing it. This week, I encourage you all to reach out to a female colleague and thank her for being AMAZING.  And instead of looking for the perfect role model, be the role model yourself. Be relatable. Be real. Be authentic. Polish the crowns of those around you before you shine your own. 

It feels like we could all benefit from some light hearted relief after a tough few weeks, so in the spirit of International Women’s Day,  I’ve prepared a short poem (taking inspiration from none other than Madonna!)

Role model

Ladies that have attitude,

Women that are in their groove,

Don’t just stand there,

Let’s get to it,

Build a career,

There’s nothing to it….Role