In this Women in Leadership series, I bring you an exclusive interview with a Jo Hadwin - Head of Information Security Governance, Risk & Compliance at
Three UK
. Jo has not only climbed the ranks but has also become an inspiring leader for those looking to get into leadership within Cyber Security. Through her story, we aim to shed light on the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned, and the insights she gained, ultimately providing a roadmap for women on their own path to leadership.
- Why did you choose Three?My initial response would be “why wouldn’t I !”. Three is a great brand with an exceptional reputation, strong values, inclusive culture, and a relentless focus on the customer. It is also such an exciting time to be part of the telecoms industry.. like I say, I wouldn’t I!
- What are some of the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman in leadership? I would be lying if I said that as a woman, I did not have to overcome some barriers throughout my career, however I do attribute my success in part to, treating every interaction as an opportunity, either for self-learning or building awareness in others, leading by example, and maintaining a positive attitude and optimistic outlook. I would say my main challenge has been bias and stereotypes, people having preconceived ideas of my abilities or leadership capability purely based on ideals of how women approach work/life and gender stereotypes. Acknowledging this prejudiced view exists in the first place is a huge step in the right direction and being empathetic to the fact some biases are unconscious, helps us understand that equity is a journey, there is no quick fix. With all that said, I must also say that reaching this point in my career has not been a solo effort, I would not have achieved this without being surrounded by a great network of people, who support me, continually challenge my thinking, advocate for me, and offer mentorship. ??
- What has been your biggest career highlight? I think my biggest career highlight was being appointed my first leadership role. I was working for one of the largest global companies in the world and saw the biggest acceleration of my career. I had been working there for 6 years before achieving my leadership appointment but within that time I had been promoted 3 times, demonstrated my resilience during the 2008 global financial crisis by pivoting my career to remain employed, and was awarded a place on their Harvard business school leadership programme. I believe I truly earned the leadership role, but I will never take it for granted and continue to develop myself and others to keep striving to be the best you can be.
- What advice would you give to other women who aspire to become leaders? Lead by example – You may not have the job title yet, but everyone can demonstrate leadership skills, and inclusive behaviours. Believe in yourself, your abilities and be your own advocate – Have confidence in yourself, your skills, knowledge and potential. Remember to not downplay your accomplishments. Continuously learn and develop your skills – Invest in yourself, own your personal development, and demonstrate your worth. No one is perfect so always be open and accepting of constructive feedback, actively solicit feedback yourself, and learn from mistakes (yours and the mistakes of others!). Build your career network – Nurture lasting relationships with people (men and women) who can provide valuable insights, guidance, mentorship, and support as you navigate your career. Remember this is a 2-way street, make sure you share your learnings and insights too! Lastly… Be ‘Team Equity’ - Make a conscious effort to look after each other, try not to become consumed by your own progress that you trample others down on your way through.
