Empowering Women in Leadership: Lessons from the Top

I recently had the pleasure of catching up with Hannah Russel , one of the Heads of Engineering at SEEK , as part of my #3things series. The conversation was timely, following my post on the lack of pipeline female CEOs in the ASX 300, inspired by a recent AFR article. Hannah shared some of the challenges she has overcome, the lessons she has learned, and valuable advice for women aiming to step into leadership roles.

1.??? Biggest lessons in leadership

Be authentic

"The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be more you—be more authentic," Hannah says. "People won't connect if you don’t show them who you really are. In my early career, I followed role models rather than being myself. Over time, I realised that trusting my strengths and knowing what I needed to improve on was crucial. I had to keep iterating and improving."

Bigger picture thinking

Coming from a smaller dev team, Hannah found herself getting lost in day-to-day tasks. "It was essential to tie myself to a purpose and long-term strategy. Transitioning to scaled leadership roles required letting go of certain responsibilities. What helped me was recruiting people who could shape my vision and using my technical background as a launchpad to build a high-performing team."

2.??? Advice for aspiring female leaders

Have a solid plan

"My first piece of advice is to have a solid plan for yourself—know where you want to go and why," Hannah said. " While it’s great to find a sponsor who will elevate you, you will be lucky if you find one. Don’t be shy to be your own advocate, work on your agenda at a pace that suits you. Take every opportunity, put yourself out there, and work hard."

Be passionate and persistent

"You need to be passionate to grow. I have a five-year plan. It might become seven years, but I’ll hit my goal eventually. Ask yourself if your organisation supports your passion for growth. If it doesn’t, consider making a move. I chose Seek because of its culture, career-building focus, and prioritisation of career progression."

3.??? Roadblocks faced in her career

Balancing personal and professional life

"Balancing personal life and work was one of the biggest challenges. Finding time to invest in myself while raising two children was tough. My husband worked full-time as an allied health manager, and I often felt guilty about prioritising my career. However, I reframed my thinking; investing in myself is also an investment in my children’s future."

Navigating unconscious bias

"Unconscious bias has been a challenge. I’ve had to demonstrate my capabilities repeatedly to earn respect. People often make assumptions about my abilities, but I’ve learned to rise above it."

Investing in professional development

"I’ve made use of having a mentor and coach. When I hit a mental block, I book time with them. They help me think through challenges and generate new ideas. Sometimes, it's not about using their ideas but simply getting the thought process going."

Future aspirations

"I am more excited than ever about the possibilities. There are more opportunities for female leaders now, and I want more women to have the chances I’ve had. Don’t feel stuck or helpless. Challenge yourself to rise above, seek advice, and surround yourself with supportive people."

I hope these insights from Hannah inspire you as much as they inspired me. Remember, leadership is a continuous journey of learning and growing. Let's work together to create more opportunities for women in leadership. Contact me to learn more about how you can drive diverse senior tech talent at your company.

#leadership #diversity #lessons