Turning Challenges in to Leadership Opportunities
Turning Challenges in to Leadership Opportunities
Together with the International Hospital Federation’s Women in Leadership Forum, we recently hosted an event to help raise awareness and encourage an interchange of experience about career progression into senior leadership roles. This was a wide-reaching forum providing unique insights and personal experiences on overcoming the challenges of being a woman in a position of leadership, discussing topics such as: barriers to entry, structural inequalities leveraging opportunities, allies and sponsorship.
Speakers:
Owen Francis, EDI expert at Alumni spoke first and highlighted the intersectionality of gender in terms of diversity and disclosed that as a transgender man he was in the unique position of having the lived experience of witnessing first-hand the different ways that men and women can be treated in the workplace.
“The female leadership ‘leaky pipeline’ can affect not just representation and organisational efficiency but also culture, morale, belonging…”
Working on organisation’s executive search and people development initiatives, we at Alumni often experience first-hand an underrepresentation of women in leadership roles, especially within healthcare. With organisations failing to address the issue of a ‘Leaky Pipeline’ in career progression they risk losing out on critical skills and experience. One of the biggest problems is that research continues to focus on the barriers to career progression for women and not on effective strategies to advance women.
Owen’s Key Tips for Plugging the Pipeline for Women
Increase work flexibility
Collect gender information comprehensively & transparently
Have strong assessment & succession processes
Set up Mentoring programmes
Target overt & covert gender bias
Promote female role models
Place women in core roles to broaden their experience
Implement ways to prevent burnout & improve time management.
Invited speaker Dr Jackie Schleifer Taylor, President & CEO at the London Health Sciences Centre in Canada shared how important it has been for her to have been encouraged for her leadership abilities from a young age.
“It’s not just about the title you hold, its about how you want to lead - bringing that intention to it will never steer you wrong.”
She also spoke about the gift women have for bringing their lived experience and knowledge into becoming a more empathetic leader and encouraged women to recognise the diverse nature of experience and its value. Jackie emphasised the importance of actively creating a voice for others when leaders notice a barrier to participation and acknowledging that we can all learn from our mistakes.
Jackie’s Key Takeaways
Be your authentic self
Practice self-agency
Follow your passions and creative drives
Make space in discussions to allow the voice of others who might otherwise be invisible
Sponsorship can be more effective than mentorship
Perfection is unattainable – have empathy for your mistakes on your leadership journey.
Our speaker Captain Emma Henderson spoke about her career in aviation and its similarities with the healthcare sector. Emma shared that it is often helpful to emulate the traits of leaders that you admire and steer away from those you don’t.
She also spoke about imposter syndrome and how women should embrace the recognition they get from other people with grace and humility. Emma continued on to talk about the importance of having support and having someone, somewhere or someplace that can sustain you when the responsibility threatens to overwhelm you.
Emma’s Key Takeaways
Remember that some doors only open as others close
Lead with integrity, passion, and authenticity
Communication is Queen
Empower people to take on the task they have volunteered or been asked to do
Remember you are where you are supposed to be
If others see the value in what you offer – you should too.
Accept help when it is offered.
“Women, to advance in position, often need to do more…There’s a need for systemic change, working from the top down.”
You can view a recording of the complete panel discussion as well as the question & answer session below:
Alumni
Through our dedicated team in our global healthcare and higher education practice we work with executives on these issues almost daily. Do get in touch if we can help advise or lend a perspective on the challenges you face in your organisation today.
Learn more abou our capabilities within:
Frank McKenna, Global Managing Director, Healthcare & Higher Education
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Director Higher Education & Group Inclusion Lead
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