Seasoned Brilliance

The Untapped Power of Midlife Women.

Experience and skills are a powerful asset - it is often the difference between making a hire, or promotion over and above all else, so if I were to say it was all too often undervalued in the workplace, you would think maybe that was somewhat strange right?

But do we always embrace the unique brilliance that comes with years of accumulated knowledge and resilience?

Across cultures, midlife women are often revered for their wisdom and calm, guiding those around them with grace. Yet in the workforce we have a huge problem, where we are losing many of these skills and resource, at a time when the workforce, skills and experience is already shrinking at a significant rate.

For many years, menopause was thought of as a milestone that arrived typically well into their 50's but new research is challenging that narrative. Many women will begin their journey into menopause in their late 40s, and some may even start experiencing perimenopause symptoms as early as their 30s.

What’s also crucial to recognise is that this period of life often coincides with some of the most productive and influential years of a woman's career. By this time, she has typically amassed a wealth of experience, skills, and leadership insight. Yet, just as her professional confidence peaks, she may be navigating a significant hormonal shift that affects both her body and mind.

For many women, this shift in their hormonal balance doesn’t happen in isolation. They may also find themselves juggling the demands of teenagers, who are going through their own developmental challenges, and or, aging parents or, loved ones who may also require additional care and support. The emotional and physical toll can be immense, but so too is their resilience.

With nearly 8 out of 10 menopausal women in work and 1 in 3 of the workforce soon to be over 50, this is a demographic that simply cannot be overlooked. These are the very women who are driving innovation, leading teams, and mentoring the next generation, while managing some of the most difficult personal challenges. It’s time we recognise both the power they bring and the support they deserve.

Much of the reluctance to address menopausal symptoms from those who are experiencing symptoms comes from outdated research that caused widespread fear of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). However, new studies and research from Dr Louise Newson, menopause specialist and member of the UK Government’s Menopause Taskforce revealed that body-identical HRT carries very little risk , a far cry from the risks outlined in earlier studies that discouraged so many from seeking treatment. Intermittent fasting and new research from Dr's including Mindy Pelz, more below, have also shown with some small changes women can rebalance their hormones, whatever their stage of life. This new understanding opens doors to options that allow women to thrive, not just survive, through menopause.

Despite advances, most workplaces remain ill-equipped to meet the needs of menopausal women. 3 out of 4 women experience symptoms, and 1 in 4 endure serious symptoms that can impact their performance and well-being. Concentration, energy, and overall quality of life can all take a hit.

What’s more, many menopausal women feel they lack the advice and support they need from both healthcare professionals and their employers. Considering that menopausal women are the fastest-growing demographic in the workforce, this is a gap that businesses and UK Plc can no longer afford to ignore.

As the retirement age creeps toward 68 and more women stay in the workforce longer, the intersection of menopause, career, and family is something we must address. Supporting women through this stage of life isn’t just a moral imperative, it’s a business one. The richness of their experience, skills, and knowledge is unparalleled, and providing the right support will enable them to continue leading with confidence and creativity.

For anyone interested in this subject, some additional reading and useful resources can be found at the following, and if anyone has anything else they would like to share, then please do comment or let me know privately:

Revolting Women Why midlife women are walking out, and what to do about it, the award winning book from Dr Lucy Ryan

Fast Like a Girl A go-to fasting manual created specifically to address women's needs based on their hormones from Dr. Mindy Pelz Co.

Why your workplace should get involved Menopause Friendly UK

Balance the menopause library from The Newson Clinic.

A pause for menopause

I help CEOs, COOs, HRDs and business leaders improve the diversity, success and retention of their new leadership hires across Operations, Customer, CX, Transformation, AI, Insight and Planning, providing recruitment consultancy and Executive Search services. Helping you deliver a much improved performance and ROI. If you would like to talk more about your unique challenges and to see if I might be a future resource for you, Book a call today.