For women today, and everyday

In my career I have worked with many amazing women over the years in the UK, Australia, US and France, I have run businesses that have a diverse gender balance, as well as launching a business that employed 102 people 98 of whom were women. I have reported into amazing male bosses who have supported women and me personally as I have had a family and taken time off managing a child who was in hospital for a year.

I am lucky to have worked in the media and the marketing industry for the past 35 years and have personally experienced little bias, unlike many of my friends who work in different industries. Don’t get me wrong it hasn’t all been plain sailing, I have had to fight harder than my male counterparts, have been told I am too ‘girly and need to be more like a man’, ‘to grow a pair of balls’ have been frequently undermined in the boardroom, and not got a job because ‘i may have children at some point soon’. But overall i have been lucky. My male partners and wider team at the projects* are incredibly supportive of women and I would say some of the biggest feminists in our business are men.

As a female business owner of a creative agency, i believe that my job is to make it easier for the women coming up behind me to succeed and fulfil their dreams, and to support the amazing young talent within the projects* and our incredible clients; and so on International Women’s Day I have pleasure in sharing my advice to young women in the workplace; however, much will be relevant to men too:

1. Back yourself - it is a particular trait of women to 2nd guess ourselves and not push ourselves forwards. My advice is to know your worth, understand your skills and talent,and trust your judgement and intuition; don’t let anyone define what you can and can’t achieve

2. You don’t have to be perfect - i have definitely made a career out of this one! Sometimes 80% is good enough as you will learn from experience and grow at a much faster rate than if you wait until you know all of the answers - so push yourself forwards with dignity and grace - but do it….

3. Tell people what you want to achieve career wise - identify what your ultimate dreams and career goals are. Share your plan, ask for help, and do not be apologetic if you want to get to the very top. One of my team wants to be an MD before the age of 30 - she is currently 25, is clear of her objectives and has asked for help to get there; i love her single minded vision which was similar to mine at her age but i didn’t feel that i was able to share mine.

Although…..there are times for leaning in and out - don’t worry if career isn’t the most important thing right now - doing a great job and performing is a given; but sometimes work is not the biggest priority and that is fine. Having a family for example may mean that ambition is put on hold for a while which feels tough to manage when everyone around you is ambitious - but in a 40/50 year career - you have a lot of time!!

4. Follow your heart- in love most women follow our hearts, so why not in business? Listen to what your heart tells you, it is always right in my opinion, but then put a plan together with your head. I made the decision to live in Australia over a 10 min chat as it felt right - i have never looked back:)

5. Keep control, keep calm, manage your emotions - be authentic, express yourself, but keep the emotions in check. I have run out of the office many times - but I use this time to calm down, consider my actions and decide how to react in front of the team/clients. 

6 . Embrace your femininity but don’t play on it - be authentic - be you - I saw Julie Bishop speak this week, at 7.30am she wore diamonte earrings and red soled stilettos - she looked amazing, but it was her professional delivery and the content of her speech that defined her. When you step into the room it’s your intellect and not your gender that defines your value

7. Ask for help: I believe that mentoring both in a professional context and over a coffee chatting to friends and advocates is one of the best forms of learning. I get real clarity when i share issues with my friends who see things so objectively and obviously have my best interests at heart.. Reach out to your network, ask for help and chat to friends.

8. And finally support each other…..some of my biggest detractors over the years have been female colleagues - we all have a job to do to back each other and there is room for all of us