Small must stand tall – lets create safe spaces for all!

As the tech industry, we take huge pride (and maybe even brag sometimes) about our agility and ability to disrupt the status quo.? But while we talk a good game, how often are we disrupting the very norms that keep our own teams homogenous and inaccessible for those who don’t fit the traditional mould???

Yes, we’re hiring more women, and yes, we now recognise the value of diverse perspectives. But recognition isn’t enough. It’s not enough to say, “we’re trying.” 50% of computer science grads are female and yet this is not translating to the tech industry and the make-up of the workforce. It’s time we hold ourselves accountable for real, measurable change.?

For this, it’s easy to point fingers at just the tech giants, those behemoths whose diversity reports are scrutinised and dissected. While that accountability is a good thing and must continue, it shouldn’t end there. Small businesses have just as important a job to improve diversity in the sector. We should not be using our size as an excuse for inaction, instead we should be seeing it as an opportunity to move quickly and lead by example.?

Why? What difference will it make? Well, let's look at the data…??

Just 0.1% of private sector business in the UK are considered large – over 250+ employees. That means that 99.9% of all private sector businesses – responsible for 16.7m employees– are considered SMEs. Crucially, that means they do not have to report on their gender diversity and pay. Why is this an issue? Well, without the need to report on gender diversity, do enough companies make the creation of an inclusive environment where female talent is set up for success a priority? I just don’t see enough evidence that they do.

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Small must be beautiful?

A biased opinion perhaps, but for me small companies are the lifeblood of the tech industry. They’re the incubators of innovation, the places where big ideas are born and nurtured. But more importantly, they’re where so many people start their career. And those formative years are so important.?

Those early years of careers stay with us – they did for me for both good and bad reasons! They are more than just a stepping stone, they're the foundation on which everything else is built. The skills developed, the experiences gathered, and the ambitions harboured during this time shape not only professional trajectory but also a sense of self-worth and confidence.??

That’s why small businesses must build an environment where anyone from any background can grow without limitations, where their voice is heard, and they can see a pathway for growth which is not hinged on outdated stereotypes.??

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Creating psychologically safe spaces?

So, if we’re committed to building the right environment for all, how do we do it as SMEs? This isn’t just about hiring a more diverse workforce - though that does remain an incredibly important first step and I covered this more in my previous blog (https://up3.co.uk/insights/blog/we-must-champion-the-divergent-paths-to-career-success/ ). Crucially we must create spaces where everyone can thrive. And that means addressing psychological safety.?

Over the years, I’ve been talked over in meetings, had ideas dismissed (or better still be claimed by others), been overlooked for promotions I deserved, been ignored in meeting rooms in favour of junior male colleagues, and I know as a woman in tech I’m in the majority. These behaviours can demoralise and cripple one’s confidence if not tackled head on.???

Psychological safety isn’t just a buzzword; it is a fundamental human right and it’s the foundation of any successful team. As businesses (small or large), we have a responsibility to ensure our workplaces are environments where everyone feels safe to speak up, use their skills, take chances, make mistakes, and challenge the status quo without fear of ridicule. One of our core values at UP3 is “Remember, at some point, you did something for the first time” – to remind us of all of the role we play in building a safe environment that encourages talent to grow.??

This isn’t just about keeping HR happy. It’s about creating a culture where innovation can truly flourish—because, let’s face it, innovation is stifled in silence. When people don’t feel safe to be themselves or to express their ideas, we all lose out.?Like A. A Milne said: “But what if I fall? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?”?

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Building the right environment at UP3?

At UP3 – a company of 70 people – we’re incredibly proud of the culture we have intentionally built. This has always been a priority for the leadership team. One of our other company values is “No room for egos, politics or gossip,” and this value has helped create an environment where egos are parked at the door and everyone’s view is respected. No matter your position, gender, race, age or education, everyone is treated the same. Within such a fast-paced and busy industry, this certainly isn’t the standard but is something I’ve found to be incredibly important and critical to our growth and success.?

Based on our size, we may not need to report on our gender breakdowns and diversity more broadly. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do it. We do at UP3 and we’re proud of the gender parity we have across the business. Right now, our senior leadership team is 50% female and across the business 40% of the team are women. It’s not perfect against all metrics, but we know where we are and most importantly what we must do next and there are active measures in place to improve all the time.??

Regardless of our size and reporting requirements, we hold ourselves accountable and ask ourselves the hard questions: Are we really doing everything we can to promote gender diversity? Are we actively creating a workplace where everyone feels psychologically safe? Are we challenging our hiring decisions to tackle unconscious bias? Or are we just paying lip service to these ideals, hoping no one notices the gaps???

And this is a rallying cry to all small businesses! Let’s recognise the opportunity and collective responsibility we have to lead the charge in the tech industry, setting the standard for what a truly inclusive and safe workplace looks like. It’s time for small to stand tall and show the world how it's done.