International Women’s Day: Our 5 Take-Aways

International Women’s Day 2018 saw people from around the world celebrate the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women, acting as the spark plug for discussions around the change required to gender equality in the workplace.
 

McDonalds flipped it’s M, British Airways operated the UK’s biggest ever all-female flight from London Heathrow to Glasgow with 61 women involved and Brewdog released a pink IPA. To play our part in celebrating International Women’s Day, we hosted a discussion group at the wonderfully sophisticated and bustling, 100 Wardour Street in Soho.

Our discussion group was lead by Jess Gardiner, our Business Manager, with special guests Anabel Fielding, Group COO at Quintessentially, Sedge Beswick, Managing Director at SEEN Connects and Tara Haig, COO and General Counsel at Lepe Partners. We welcomed female finance leaders to join us for a panel discussion which would raise critical issues on diversity in the workplace, how to overcome the blockers in making it to the top and more. Our topic: ‘Female Empowerment #PressforProgress.’

Now that the laughter, the gasps of horror(!), the lively debate and the open dialogue have finished for the evening, here are our top 5 take aways from the discussions;

Set yourself up for success: Work for organisations that truly value women’s input.

Evidenced by the gender pay gap, rigid working patterns and the glass ceiling that exists for women aspiring to senior management positions. If you’re looking to take a step up the career ladder or simply make a change to your current employer, do your research. Learn which forward thinking companies truly value women’s input for a positive adjustment to your career dynamic. Simply put by our panel member Anabel, ‘You want to be taken more seriously? Work for companies who have a female presence at the top.’

Women Unite: Take time to support each other.

With a focus particularly on those starting out in their career or those coming back from a career break, support between peers is pivotal in making a steady but consistent change to the female positioning within an office environment. This may be a weekly 5-minute slot you can dedicate to an office newbie or even establishing an in-house networking group for the women in your company. Supporting each other will eventually develop from a single person making a difference, to a movement that will really make people take note and listen. 

Lead the Way: Be a Mentor.

Across the UK we have seen the rise of some inspirational female leaders with key roles across society and business such as Theresa May, Nicola Sturgeon, Cressida Dick, Karen Brady and Dame Carolyn McCall. While these may be the obviously high-profile examples, there are many more at mid/senior levels and the panel all agreed that these people had the capacity to inspire others. Not just to fellow women but to all, and not to the extent of artificially promoting other women and thus setting them up for failure, rather to provide support and prove the concept that diversity is better for business. So, in summary,  become a mentor where you can and also, go find a mentor for yourself.

The Influence of Unconscious Bias: The smaller things contribute to the bigger picture.

As touched upon by our panel member Tara Haig, the undermining of women in the workplace from male colleagues through inappropriate jokes and comments is something which requires immediate action. The panel agreed that jokes, the little asides, are not necessarily intended to be demeaning and are often made unconsciously of the impact they have and assumptions to which they lead. The issues around the gender pay gap and equality in the workplace are important topics that are now being addressed by many companies however, the smaller problems that contribute towards the bigger picture can be immediately tackled by us as individuals. 

Redirect the Energy: Stop Talking the Talk and Start Walking the Walk.

We all agreed that pushing the equality agenda forward and making changes to be at the top of everyone’s to-do list. To make any significant change at which we can look back and be proud, will require a commitment from us all. Men and women, need to act upon the discussions and findings of reports regarding the issues that our society faces. 

The International Women’s Day celebrations don’t stop here. To continue to #PressforProgress we’ll continue to hold discussion groups over the coming months and years. If you would like to be involved in future events and play a part in the affecting progress with us, please get in touch - jessica.gardiner@hedgerway.com