Women into Leadership 2023

On the 2nd of February, myself and over four hundred women in the Civil Service attended the Women into Leadership away day which was such a great way to empower us within the corporate world. If you get the chance to attend, I'd recommend it 100%. #WiL23

I caught up with some of my Office for National Statistics colleagues to get their thoughts on how they found it:

Sarah Thompson :

"Provided a stronger sense of empowerment."

Having previously attended the Women into Leadership conference virtually I already knew I wouldn’t be disappointed as they always bring together such inspiring women to speak. Attending in person, however, provided a stronger sense of empowerment for me by being in the same room as so many other likeminded women. It also provided the speakers with the opportunity to make their sessions more interactive, as myself, Ashleigh and Steph experienced during Cath Baxter’s session on speaking so others will listen (straw phonation anyone?). Something I’ll certainly take away from the day after hearing from Patience Ogunbona on introversion in leadership is understanding how introvert attributes can actually be awesome strengths when it comes to leadership, something I hadn’t considered before.

Steph Hughes :

'Speaking so that others listen.'

I found the WiL event inspiring, empowering and motivational. It was incredible to hear from women both within the Civil Service and from the Private Sector, understanding their career journeys and how they have come to be speaking at an event like that was amazing. I found the ‘speaking so that others listen’ session particularly interesting and relevant. Cath Baxter who delivered it was brilliant, bringing fun and entertainment to a topic that I’d never really considered before, but, I know what I learnt will have a really positive impact on interactions going forward.

Tufty Land :

"Levelling the playing field."

The Women into Leadership was such an inspiring day.?

The speakers were amazing, and just being able to sit and listen to their stories was phenomenal.?Hearing the speakers talking through their journeys really helped inspire me, and it just felt amazing to be sharing that with all the other guests.?

My favourite speaker was Amy Rees from HMPPS. Something about her captivated me - pulling me into her words - but also how her career has gone being in a typically ‘male’ dominated sector and getting as far as she did.?

The entire day had a profound effect on me, and after hearing how all those women’s journeys had been (and how vastly different it was for each one!) just really spurred me on to my own journey and how my own path could be laid out.?

Being neurodivergent - and a bit of a tomboy - made Abigail Agyei and Phillippa Tuttiett’s words also have an effect on me. Such as losing my pride over getting reasonable adjustments - it’s ‘levelling the playing field’; or just having those hobbies and interests that are stereotypically for men - it just stood out so much on my own journey.

Not only did I leave that day feeling empowered and ready for my own Yellow Brick Road - I left feeling validated and ready for any challenge that may come my way, and I cannot thank any of the organisers, speakers, or fellow attendees for igniting that spark.

Ashleigh Alexander :

"I couldn't stop listening the whole time she spoke, in awe of her driven nature."

I've known a lot of people through my career who've had the opportunity to attend courses and events about Women into Leadership, so the idea of me attending was a must.

The first breakout room I attended was with Patience Ogunbona who talked about being an introverted leader. When the first slide appeared, I felt I ticked all the extrovert boxes and wondered whether I'd chosen the right breakout room. However, as the presentation went on I realised I actually fit into a lot of the introverted too; i.e. overthinking. This session was really important to me, as I felt this related to me both personally and within work. I feel that I do fit into both extrovert and introvert areas, so having a better understanding of this means I can play both sides to my strengths.

Now anyone that knows me knows one of my top topics is food, so let's talk about that! As a lot of you know I recently chose to switch to a vegan diet. There wasn't a lot of food to choose from, but definitely enough for me to have a substantial lunch. They had a Mediterranean gnocchi with vegan cheese and vegan brownie for dessert. There was also rice, chicken in sauce and couscous, salmon, bread rolls with butter and various salads. The gnocchi and brownies were stunning, even the bread rolls without butter were lovely too. They also provided soya milk as well as cows for tea and coffee. It's great to see dietary requirements being catered for!

The second breakout session I attended was with Cath Baxter. After the lunch slump I definitely needed something a bit more interactive, and this definitely was. I find when I present I sometimes over talk, or feel like I'm tripping over my words. Cath's experience coaching in the arts industry benefited us in a corporate way by using techniques in how we speak can effect the way we're heard. The way she spoke was genuinely like being hypnotised and you couldn't stop listening to how she spoke. I can take this away for our Success Profiles webinars and also for presentations and meetings going forward. I like to sing, so I can also use the straw phonation to help with this.

During the day we also had numerous speakers from different areas. Phillipa Tuttiett was the most captivating person I'd ever heard. She talked about working with her dad in the construction industry, going to University and finding her love of rugby. Both setting up a business for a women only company alongside playing rugby, finding herself at a cross roads after an injury and being offered a presenting role. I couldn't stop listening the whole time she spoke, in awe of her driven nature. The whole time, her team within her business were so supportive which was amazing. And that can be make or break to any company and/or team, team work and trust.

Amy Rees also spoke about her career within the HMPPS department was inspiring. Having built a career in a male dominated industry, taking opportunities she wasn't quite ready for yet still managing to completely smash all of those goals is absolutely incredible.

If you get the chance to attend, even if you feel you're the best leader you could ever be, definitely go. You won't regret it!