Shape Talent Ltd

Have you heard the research about why 93% of women face challenges at work? In our recent study in our Three Barriers research series, we uncovered a staggering reality: 93% of women face barriers that hinder their workplace progression. Only 7% of women report experiencing no barriers at all. Here’s what the data reveals: 🔹 79% of women encounter personal barriers. These include societal expectations to conform to gender stereotypes or the risk of facing backlash for challenging them. 🔹 78% of women face organisational barriers. Many workplaces remain designed around outdated structures that predominantly suit men, making it harder for women to succeed. 🔹 67% of women feel societal pressures, such as being expected to take on the primary caregiving role - particularly in heterosexual households. These challenges are not isolated - they span across countries and cultures, with personal and organisational barriers standing out as the most prevalent. The message is clear: systemic change is needed. At Shape Talent, we’re committed to helping organisations identify and address these barriers, creating workplaces where no one is held back. 💡 Watch the webinar clip to learn more. #ThreeBarriers #GenderEquity #EDI

Beyond representation: Designing workplace systems through the lens of intersectionality As we step into 2025, Shape Talent is excited to launch the year with a thought-provoking LinkedIn Live event focused on one of the most important considerations for organisations when building an effective gender equity strategy: intersectionality. Date: Wednesday, 29 January 2025 Time: 2:00PM - 3:00PM GMT Special guests: Arlene Rahn, Joulie Gindi, Simon Houghton and Shape Talent’s Ailish Breen. Why is intersectionality so crucial? Women’s experiences in the workplace are shaped by a tapestry of intersecting identities – including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, life stage and more. These dimensions of identity create unique challenges and opportunities, and understanding them is essential for creating inclusive and equitable workplaces. For leaders, the stakes are high. Without an intersectional lens, we risk overlooking the most underrepresented women – and missing out on their invaluable talents and perspectives. By embracing this framework, organisations can build solutions that work for all women, driving innovation, inclusion, and progress. What to Expect: - Insights into how intersectionality influences women’s career progression. - Practical strategies to advance equity for all women. - Actionable steps leaders can take to create lasting change. CPOs, EDI champions, HR professionals, business leaders, don't miss this important event which will help empower you with the tools to make meaningful impact in 2025. #GenderEquity #EDI #ThreeBarriers

Your Shape Talent December newsletter is live today! In our last newsletter for 2024, this edition is packed with insights to help you drive real progress in accelerating gender equality. Highlights include • Our must-read blog: What is intersectionality, and what does an intersectional approach look like in practice? • Brand-new research: Discover our latest findings on the Three Barriers to women’s advancement in European corporates. • A spotlight on our team member Helena Wacko: Sharing how gender equity has shaped her career, her favourite reads, and how she finds balance through boxing! • Plus: Our Breaking Barriers podcast on why gender equity needs to be on your agenda when it comes to C-suite succession planning. Don’t miss these actionable insights - distilled in one handy newsletter. Read it today. #EDI #Intersectionality #ShapeTalent  

New blog alert: Why intersectionality matters in the workplace As Kimberlé Crenshaw, who coined the term intersectionality, powerfully states: “You can't change outcomes without changing how they have come about.” Our latest blog is now live and provides actionable recommendations for organisations serious about creating meaningful change when it comes to gender equity with an intersectional lens. Discover how to build a truly inclusive workplace where no one is left behind. Read the full blog today to learn how you can: 1. Move beyond tokenism or siloed EDI efforts with integrated, data-driven strategies that recognise interconnected forms of oppression. 2. Conduct intersectional impact assessments to evaluate how decisions affect groups with multiple marginalised identities. 3. Develop specific anti-discrimination measures co-created with those they aim to protect. 4. Acknowledge diversity within marginalised groups and your tailor policies accordingly. #EDI #Intersectionality #ShapeTalent

What’s holding women back in European corporates? Our latest Three Barriers research shines a light on the persistent obstacles preventing women from advancing to leadership roles. The findings are eye-opening: organisational barriers are the most significant roadblocks, and they’re more pervasive than many realise. From structural biases to limited access to high-impact opportunities, these barriers not only hinder individual careers but also stall progress toward gender equity across entire industries. And added to this, our root cause analysis revealed that while the challenges women voice might appear similar across countries, the underlying reasons are often fundamentally different - meaning the solutions must be just as tailored and unique. Watch this quick clip to learn more. But it’s not all bad news. In our research paper, we go beyond the statistics to share practical, actionable strategies that organisations can implement to level the playing field. These solutions are designed to help businesses unlock the full potential of their workforce while building a culture where everyone can thrive. Are you ready to be part of the change? Watch the clip, and download the full report today to explore how your organisation can address these challenges and pave the way for a more inclusive future. 📥 Get your copy here: https://lnkd.in/eVMZBfhZ #ThreeBarriers #GenderEquity #GenderResearch #EDI

In one word, how do you describe the Shape Talent team spirit? This was the question we asked ourselves recently - and the answers we shared say everything about who we are as a team. Each word reflects the unique energy, passion, and purpose that fuel us every day as we partner with our clients to create meaningful, lasting impact.  We’re excited to share this short film that brings those words to life, showcasing the incredible spirit that makes Shape Talent so special.  Take a moment to watch - and let us know: what one word comes to mind when you think of the Shape Talent team? We’d love to hear your thoughts!  #GenderEquity #DEI #ShapeTalent

It's been a busy time at Shape Talent and we are delighted to announce the appointment of Alison Wilson PCC as Chief Operating Officer helping to steward the business through its next stage of growth and evolution. Alison brings considerable skills and expertise to our business: she is a process engineer, an accountant, a coach and an ex strategy consultant. She has a solid operations background having worked as COO for a high growth consultancy and has also worked for large blue chip multinational organisations, so understands our clients well. We can't wait to introduce Alison to our clients! #GenderEquality

Did you catch our webinar last week? This insight on intersectionality was just one of the many powerful insights we shared when we revealed the findings of our latest research, ‘The reality gap: three barriers to women's advancement in European corporates’.     The session unpacked insights from almost 2,400 women across Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, exploring the personal, organisational, and societal barriers still hindering women’s career progression.  Missed it? You can watch the recording here: https://lnkd.in/e87J4cDv Dive deeper into the full report for more insights and actionable recommendations: https://lnkd.in/eVMZBfhZ Let’s continue the conversation on driving real progress for gender equity in your organisation. Reach out if you’d like to discuss any of our findings.  Sharon Peake, CPsychol Priscila Pereira Law PhD FCIPD Ester Marchetti

New research alert! What percentage of women do you think face barriers to career progression at work? This was the simple but revealing question we asked our audience last week when we kicked off our webinar and new research reveal. Many participants underestimated the answer. The truth? 93%. Our latest research, based on responses from almost 2,400 women across Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, highlights widespread barriers - and for some, these are worsened by intersectional factors like disability, perimenopause, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and career level. Key stats include: • 93% of women face barriers such as stereotypes and microaggressions. • Many fear speaking up, worried about professional repercussions. • Black, disabled, and LGBTQ+ women face compounded inequities. • 50% of executive women feel they’re ‘failing as parents’, underscoring the double burden of leadership and family. Why this new research matters right now: With the EU Gender Equality Strategy 2020–2025 concluding, our findings show that policies alone won’t drive equity. Organisations must address these systemic barriers head-on. What’s next for your organisation? If you’re a CPO or lead Talent, HR, or EDI efforts in your complex multinational organisation, this report offers practical insights to help drive real change. https://lnkd.in/eVMZBfhZ Download our full report to uncover actionable strategies: The reality gap: Three barriers to women’s advancement in European corporates Sharon Peake, CPsychol Priscila Pereira Law PhD FCIPD Ester Marchetti #ThreeBarriers #GenderEquity #DEI

Missed our webinar? Here’s your chance to catch up on the conversation! https://lnkd.in/e87J4cDv Earlier this week, we explored important insights from our latest research report: The reality gap: Three Barriers to women's advancement in European corporates Our research surveyed over 2,300 women across Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, exposing the systemic barriers holding women back in corporate environments.  Key findings include:  ✓ Legislation isn’t enough: Over 50% of women still face workplace barriers, such as low self-confidence, microaggressions, and stereotypes.  ✓ Fear of speaking up: Widespread concerns about professional backlash prevent women from voicing their ideas in meetings.  ✓ Intersectional inequalities: Disabled women face the greatest barriers, while Black women receive the least career support and shoulder more domestic responsibilities.  ✓ Work-life balance crisis: More than half of women executives feel they are failing as parents, underscoring the persistent challenges for leadership advancement.  ✓ Business imperative: Organisations ignoring these issues risk losing top talent in an increasingly competitive market.  Ready to turn insights into action? Download the report, watch the webinar, and discover how Shape Talent can support your organisation in creating a gender-equitable workplace. #ThreeBarriers #GenderEquity #DEI #EDI