On International Women’s Day, we asked our female colleagues at Berkshire LEP to answer a few questions, in the hope of inspiring other women to achieve well in the workplace…
Imposter syndrome and confidence are often cited as obstacles that women struggle with in many aspects of life, and often causes them to decide against applying for a position – what would you say to those people to inspire them?
Sara Charlesworth, Berkshire Growth Hub Adviser: It’s easy for women to spend time thinking about the things that could go wrong and the things they are not good at. Try to replace that thinking with all the things you are good at and what will happen when you use those skills and characteristics in this situation.
In your phone, write a short list of the things you know you’re good at. Be honest, not humble. Brag for a minute! Nobody else needs to see it. Then ask a few friends and family members to give you three good things that they would want an employer to know about you if you were applying for a job. Write those in your phone too.
If ever you’re feeling unsure or uneasy about a job application, interview, presentation – look at your phone and remember those qualities you can be 100% sure that you have. Knowing you have those qualities will help you to succeed.
What would you say was the hardest hurdle to overcome as a woman going into your career? How did you overcome it?
Sarah Atkinson, Private Sector Director: As we recognise and celebrate the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women today, International Women’s Day (IWD), it is not only a moment to call for action on accelerating gender parity but to consider what more we can do for women more broadly to #InspireInclusion.
There have been a few hurdles in my career. Firstly, breaking into journalism was not easy as it was a very male dominated environment, so perseverance and doggedness were key. Later in my career, still being the only female in the room was deeply frustrating and often resulted in “group think”. Matthew Syed sums it up perfectly in his book, Rebel Ideas: “Think how comforting it is to be surrounded by people who think in the same way, who mirror our perspectives, who confirm our prejudices. It makes us feel smarter. It validates our world view.. these dangers are as ancient as mankind itself.” However, he also explains that a major investigation by Google, which sought to identify why some teams perform better than others, found that psychological safety was the single most important factor driving success which is why building diverse teams and creating inclusive environments are important, but culture trumps it all.
Who are some women that inspire you, and why?
Sara Charlesworth, Berkshire Growth Hub Adviser: The women who inspire me most are real businesswomen I’ve worked with who have overcome adversity. There are plenty of them all around us, and the one common thread is that those women do not give up. They may have to come up with new ways to overcome problems, they will certainly have been exhausted at times, and been pulled in a hundred different directions, but they have drawn on everything they have, remembered their values and intentions, and carried on.
In what ways can organisations create more inclusive environments for women to thrive professionally?
Abby Lacey, Head of Business Operations: There are some key strategies that companies can do – things like cultivating a culture of respect, a quality that must be led from the top down. They can implement inclusive policies such as flexible working and parental leave. They can provide mentorship and leadership programs specifically aimed at women. You can also ensure pay equity and opportunities for advancement are fair and transparent and foster diversity in our hiring practices to attract and retain the top diverse talent
What advice would you give to young women who are just starting their careers?
Sara Charlesworth, Berkshire Growth Hub Adviser: You may have just finished your education and are looking for the right position. You’ll have done some research and decided where that position might be, perhaps found some open roles to apply for. If you don’t immediately have a job offer, that’s normal! My advice is to ask others for support, find a female mentor if you can and meet them regularly, online or in person. This can be the friend of a friend, friend of a relative, someone you reach out to on LinkedIn or through a tutor. If you are trying to find a job, it can be hard to keep up the energy to come up with great applications for roles if you have a few knock-backs. But you have to keep going! Having someone you speak to regularly for support will help to keep you spurred on. Don’t give up – it only takes that one successful application!
For more information for students, job changers and employers click here.
For more information for business owners who may be wanting advice, click here.
