When I grow up…
It’s international Women’s Day this week, and I’ve been asked to mark it by going in to my daughters’ school to give a careers’ talk for girls from 4 to 11, for their ‘When I grow up’ series.
I need to talk to them about what I do, and how I got into it and how they could prepare for a career in communications, if that’s what they choose to do.
But I’ve also been asked to talk to them about values, and the qualities that help you succeed at work.
It’s a world away from the careers advice I got at school. It was a print out from a computer after I’d filled in a multiple-choice survey. I don’t really remember that much about it, but it suggested with all seeing confidence that social work, journalism or nursing were the careers for me. All fine professions, but I couldn’t help thinking that the boys and girls in my class were being set on different paths. Even by the school computer!
It’s made me think about the advice I wish I’d been given when I was considering what I wanted to do with my post-school life.
These are the lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Kindness really is the most important thing.
It sounds trite, but it does matter. The more senior I’ve got, the more I’ve seen colleagues around me aping alpha traits because they think that’s what’s expected of them. Being brutal or rude when you could just think before speaking. Focusing on the task rather than the person. Missing the clients unwritten brief because you just want to close the sale.
So ask about your colleagues’ children, say thanks for a job well done. Empower someone to share an idea. Be human. You can behave like a decent person, and do well.
If you have the opportunity to help another woman in your career, take it.
I’ve been helped by some amazing women in my career, all of whom taught me this lesson and inspired me to help others smash the glass ceiling. I’ve also worked with others who have forgotten how tough women can still have it at work (see above). I’ve never regretted taking the time to help other women develop their careers. In fact, I’ve probably learned more from them than they have from me.
Understand the privilege you have and use it for good.
Look at the people around you and be an ally. This isn’t about culture wars TM, it’s about recognising that some lived experiences and personal characteristics are still used to hold us back. So, make sure you support the people around you who do experience disadvantage and play your part to challenge unfairness.
Understand your intrinsic value.
And this is especially important for girls. Stop over thinking whether you are qualified for the job. Focus on your skills and what you could bring. Remember that its people are any businesses most important asset and a prospective employer needs you to choose them too.
Take chances.
Taking the wrong job, making a mistake, failing at something. It doesn’t define you. What defines you is what you do next. Fail quickly, pick yourself up, learn something and move on.
The world of work is changing, and not just because of Covid. The great resignation was driven by women. Good employers understand that being inclusive, being flexible, being fair is good business. So that’s what I’ll be telling the girls I talk to. Demand more, be an awkward woman. Persist.
Oh, and you don’t need to smile more.
