Oxymoron: Black and Female Succeeding in Finance and Tech

Hey everyone! Its the last newsletter for 2023!?

I’ve had such lovely responses from everyone with the re-launch and thank you to all those of you who have subscribed whether on Linkedin or on my general mailing list!?

I wanted to end this year with some inspiration, but also talk about something that unfortunately seems to be accepted as normality - and thats the lack of opportunity and progression for women in the finance and tech industries, and in particular black and brown women.?

Most of my 1:1 clients, and the corporates who hire me to coach or train their employees, are in the finance, tech and fintech industries - thats where most of my experience in my career has been, so it makes sense right, for those organisations and clients to be drawn to that experience,???

Last week, I spoke about the particular legislation that has been applied to the finance sector, to increase female representation - it hasn't been applied to the tech industry, but it should and I will tell you why.?

Finance and tech, are both historically perceived as female unfriendly places to work.? I tried to think of a clever? or reasonable excuse or reason as to why this, is but just came up with 3 not so reasonable ones, which are:?

1. Patriarchy
2. Bias
3. Impostor syndrome/self belief/mindset

The first two reasons are areas we are all too familiar with, and as society moves on, and people continue to build awareness of how their views and practices when its comes to gender in the workplace are influenced by social constructs such as the patriarchy and their internal biases - ever so slowly things will change.?

The third reason however is something that is within ourselves to change, and one of the main things I try to effect when working with any women in the finance or tech industries is? to help them gain more awareness of the mindset challenges that may also be holding them back in these industries, and processes to shift them.

I said I wanted this video to be inspirational, and rather than I give you strategies for how you can develop your career in these niche industries, I thought I would reach out to my network, and ask some women who are walking the walk and creating success in these areas to give you their insights and tips.???

Remember we spoke about choosing the right mentors - all of these women would be the creme de la creme of mentors, and I am so grateful to them for sharing these insights with you all.

Before I share these? - I wanted to say thank you all for following, commenting, liking and sharing me and The Diverse Leaders Coach this year - we are creating a community of phenomenal leaders and founders from underrepresented backgrounds, and I am super excited for what 2024 will bring.?

Have an amazing festive break - but for now I will let these ladies have the last word….

Michelle Raymond - One valuable lesson I've learned about leadership, which I now share as advice, is the importance of having a clear vision for your leadership journey. Consider deeply the kind of leader you aspire to become. What type of mindset, set of beliefs, and how should you actto embody that leadership style. Once you've defined this for yourself your next job is to translate this vision into reality.

@Thanh Catachanas My one piece of advice to anyone who is in the earlier stages of their career or any woman who is working her butt off to push onto the next rung of the corporate ladder is that when it gets tough, always remember that the only constant is change. If you ever feel like things are not going your way, you’re struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel or your efforts just simply do not feel like they are paying off – it will not always feel like this. Breathe and hold space for yourself. Equally - enjoy, celebrate and savour every victory/breakthrough or win- no matter how small because that too shall pass and you bloody deserve it!?

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