The old adage from any female in a male over-represented field tends to be: “I got to where I am because I work twice as hard as my male counterparts”.
As a woman in a leadership role in a male-dominated field, I feel a great sense of responsibility toward the next generation of women rising through the ranks. My experiences have given me the confidence and knowledge to lead by example and to suggest ways that companies can develop egalitarian workplaces, which boost productivity – meaning that everyone reaches their potential.
Making workplaces safe and welcoming for women and creating a culture of training and mentoring, both formal and informal, are vital Building strong professional relationships is important for women. Never underestimate the power of constructive engagement within your own teams and across departments. To do this effectively, treat people the way you want to be treated – ask for the opinions of others, bring people in, make everyone feel included in decision-making.
In male-dominated workplaces this, in turn, gives you the authority to confidently call out inappropriate behaviour when you feel a line has been crossed. And this doesn’t just apply to flagging up workplace inequality – never be afraid to speak up when something important needs to be said. It may seem difficult or even scary at the time, but this skill will stand women in good stead for their entire working lives.