Leading the way for women

It’s International Women's Day 2024 – but when will things really change for women? When will we stop accepting the unacceptable in the workplace. It’s time to lead from the heart...

By Sarah Camilleri

International Women's Day 2025 has given me time to reflect on how different my life is today compared to how it was in 1999, when my career was derailed by sexual discrimination. My case then went to an industrial tribunal – a long, gruelling process that required hard work and funding that was only possible because I had ticked the right box on my mortgage form. This provided me with insurance to fight my case. Without this, I would not have been heard and just be another name on a long list of women who lost their career after having a baby.

Despite very long odds and three emotionally tough days in court, I was vindicated on all counts. As a test case for the UK and Europe, I am sure that this painful chapter in my life subsequently helped many women who have found themselves suffering similar treatment.

However, as much as winning my case was life-changing, it was the after-effects that resonated longest. Since the day I walked out of that awful court room aged 30, I have never again worked for anyone as an employee. Why? My confidence was shot to bits. Moreover, my ability to get a decent job anywhere was completely compromised. I felt like an imposter. It took years to rebuild my life. Eventually, of course, I took the plunge to launch my own magazine and business, which is successful today.

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Fighting sexual discrimination in the workplace

I am proud to work in the spa, beauty and wellness sector, where people’s wellbeing and health are front and centre. In my role as a business editor, I am fortunate to meet so many extraordinary leaders –women and men – in the global spa and hospitality industry who are changing the way we travel and look after ourselves.

Notably, the spa industry is predominantly driven by a female workforce – from therapists to beauty leaders, wellness and fitness experts, spa directors, architects, consultants and product house founders. These women all serve people to help them live healthier, happier lives. But while women may lead with strength in spa and hospitality, investment and board-level jobs are still disproportionally male. Sadly this is a microcosm of the wider business world and many talented women in my sector, in both senior and junior positions, still endure inequality daily.

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This week alone, I have spoken to three women in senior positions who have recently been subjected to misogynistic behaviour, sexual discrimination and incredibly, even offers of sex while attending work events. This simply should not be happening today. Worse still, if it didn’t matter to these men that they were speaking this way to women in senior positions, how are they speaking to much younger and less self-confident women?

In each of these cases, the men involved would no doubt minimise their responsibility or make light of their words – the term “banter” is often used to justify the unacceptable. Their lack of self-awareness and respect for women is frankly breathtaking to behold.

It’s a depressing cycle that is as rife today as when I stood in that tribunal court room and listened to everything I had worked for – and my reputation – being ripped to shreds, simply so they could justify their discrimination. Worst of all, my former employers did not have to go back to court to look me in the eye and apologise. They settled and moved on without any consequences or damage to their reputation. Maybe if I had been given respect and closure in that courtroom, as a woman, I would have suffered less.

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Belittling powerplay “banter” and innuendo

By 2007 I knew the only way to change things was to do it on my terms – to start my own business and create a job for myself. I have failed at many things since then, but this is how you learn. I am proud to have made my own mistakes and to lead the media company I have built today.

Nowadays, I put my heart at the centre of every decision I make in business. The one thing I always notice is when people around me are not seeming 100%. The skills of empathy and compassion matter as much as reading a P&L and business strategy and leading with the heart can prevent so many avoidable problems.

There is no place for misogyny or belittling powerplay banter and innuendo if we are to really progress and support those we depend on for our business success. We must practise active listening and make time and space for everyone to thrive and progress. Equality is simply about respect.

Heartfelt leadership

For me the question I ask everyone on International Women's Day 2025 is when is enough, enough? None of us alone can break generational cycles of discrimination and stop the secretive abuse that happens every day, but we can create a culture of respect for the people we work with and extend that to the people we meet daily through work and life. I don’t think that is too much to ask.

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We need to find new ways to talk openly to our teams about our values and feelings. Leadership with heart takes commitment but it is worth it. It connects, it creates trust, it builds new levels of success and performance. It’s the magic that will make a difference for everyone – men and women alike – and we must all work towards it and create a world that is fair for all.

Sarah Camilleri is the editorial director and owner of European Spa magazine and its affiliated daily news website europeanspamagazine.com, both of which are respected business resources designed to serve spa and wellness hospitality leaders worldwide.

Sarah’s level of commitment to the spa and wellness industry is inspiring and her passion for seeking out and sharing the latest innovations in beauty, wellbeing, fitness and preventative health services drives her mission to serve the spa industry globally.

She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for the British Beauty Council l https://britishbeautycouncil.com/ and supports the Global Wellness Institute Leading Well From Within Initiative https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/ as a coalition partner.

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