Thoughtful Thursdays

Why Representation Matters

This month, I turn 34. Having started working at 14, I can say that every work experience over the past two decades has taught me a great deal about honing my skills, managing people and leadership.?

Thanks to career opportunities afforded to me by my mentors, I have been the first woman, the first person of colour and often the youngest to be included in strategic planning discussions, management and decision-making forums. Thankfully over time, I did not remain the only one, as this fundamentally shifted the leader I am today.

Until recently, all my direct line managers were male, and meetings always had a bullying undertone to them. For example, interrupting or talking over each other was often the norm. Sometimes the jokes would border on the offensive to women, but because I was the only woman in the room full of laughing male leaders, I questioned if I was being too sensitive.

To articulate my ideas and meaningfully contribute to the conversation, I adopted the approach I had witnessed.? Over time, I became desensitised to the cringey jokes and even developed tough skin. When I was (inevitably) the butt of the joke, I didn’t respond in an “emotional manner” that could invalidate my contribution later on.

Over time, the management forums became more diverse in gender, social background, race and culture. I became more exposed to a more human-centric way of thinking, managing and leading. The female leaders that leaned into their femininity encouraged us to pause and deeply consider how we engage, how we nurture a more inclusive culture and most importantly how we innovate.?

When more female leaders joined the team, the existing male-dominated team had to adopt a new way of communicating. Now, it wasn’t about being the loudest, or most assertive person in the room, but rather, giving everyone in the room the opportunity to express their views - regardless of their communication style. The result? Decisions and outcomes were far more robust and more considerate. Leading powerfully now, also meant leading gently, empathetically and ensuring that no voice gets left behind.

How women socialise, network, talk about money, make decisions, and assert our viewpoints can greatly differ from that of males and when we are not represented on the forums that make critical decisions that impact us as contributors, employees, leaders, investees etc. we lose a massive voice in society.?

We, women, are household decision makers, instrumental in guiding the path of the generations to come and are responsible for nurturing nations. By understanding why our differences matter, how important those differences are and why they are needed in all decision-making platforms, we invest in and build companies with a better appreciation for shared value creation, we build more human-centric solutions and environments and in turn nurture a better and more innovative society for all.