Last night’s Staying true to who you are – Women in Digital, Data and Tech event in Manchester, organised by The Coop‘s Digital Technology and Data team, was an emotional rollercoaster where incredible women courageously shared their work-life stories. They embraced vulnerability as they recounted their challenges navigating a predominantly male-dominated industry.
As I grappled with my own imposter syndrome – working in tech without a STEM degree and lacking coding skills, given my focus on experience design and strategy – I was deeply moved by the stories shared. While these messages may not be new, I firmly believe in the old Latin maxim, repetitio est mater studiorum. Therefore, it’s worth repeating some of the highlights from last night:
In the UK, there are more CEOs named Andrew and Simon than female CEOs. This stark fact paints a clear picture of the current status quo. While there is evidence of change, progress remains slow.
Witnessing individuals similar to ourselves in leadership roles holds tremendous power and serves as a source of inspiration, proving that we can do it too. Lucy Tallon reminded me that ‘empathetic leadership is about power, not hierarchy’, emphasising that true power resides within the team – the genuine subject-matter experts.
Empowerment is essential for everyone within an organisation, including women. To achieve this, organisations must create environments that nurture empowerment. I deeply empathise with Lucy’s story of losing her voice for a while, as I’ve experienced it too. It’s a sensation akin to the characters in Phillip Pullman’s ‘Northern Lights’ when they are forced to separate from their daemons. Having a voice and a seat at the table is essential for feeling empowered, enabling leaders to make significant contributions and drive positive changes.
Lastly, a point I consistently bang on about and previously spoke about at the Women in Business and Tech Conference a few years ago is the importance of being unapologetically yourself as a cornerstone for personal and organisational growth. As we are all inspired by Brené Brown, I’ll conclude with her quote, referenced in one of the talks that ‘vulnerability is not a weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage’.
Special thanks to the organisers and all the courageous speakers: Aysha Khalid, Lucy Tallon, Amy Timmins, and Therese Holden.