#balanceforbetter

IWD 2019 #Balance for Better

As a woman who has had 30 career in tech I often get asked to speak; sharing my experiences, lessons and general advice to those wanting to tread the same path. My first reaction to such a request is a voice whispering “ why on earth is anyone interested in hearing about your career?... which is soon replaced by a stronger voice telling my Imposter syndrome to do one!

The opportunity to speak always provides me with the chance to reflect on circumstances, people and even a dose of good fortune that paved the way for me to do what I did for 30 years in a sector which I still find exciting.

I talk a lot about the value of role models and the importance in shining a light on what can be achieved but my reflections have brought home that it is often so much more. I am not sure I genuinely appreciated the support network I have enjoyed, the often-serendipitous meetings that led to opportunities or simply, some of the fantastic people I worked with along the way.

Oh sure, I thought I appreciated it – in the moment, but I know when I look back that often, I just took things for granted. I was too busy being me to stop and think too hard about what was actually helping me achieve being me. I have no doubt that that some of that was a response to need to prove myself. Being the only woman in the room wasn’t unusual. After all, tech is still a sector where only 1 in 10 leadership roles are held by women and this is 2019, imagine what it was like in 1989. But the truth is that I didn’t think about gender balance that deeply I am embarrassed to say. I just got on with it. I was one of the lucky ones – I made it and most of my effort went into making sure it stayed that way. I can honestly say I didn’t much pause for breath to reflect on what needed to change.

Thankfully, that is something that has changed. I have had the opportunity to reflect and now spend a huge amount of my time talking, challenging and basically poking this issue as hard as I can.

And you see that is why on International Women’s Day, the theme of #BalanceforBetter is such an excellent mantra. The ability to achieve gender balance in the board room, in government, in the media, in wealth, opportunity basically everywhere is essential in ensuring economies and communities thrive. However, speaking personally, I also think balance in my career, in my personal priorities and in myself would have made the younger me a more inclusive leader and maybe at times, a happier leader. It is also a chance to talk and show appreciation for all those who support women as they strive for that balance.

As Executive Chair at Curium Solutions, I work with people who deliver inclusive leadership to all kinds of leaders; all with the aim of being better, more resilient leaders –

All my blogs are available on Curium's website