How we celebrated International Women's Day 2023
9 March 2023
International Women’s Day is a global event which takes place on 8 March each year. It brings people together to support the campaign for gender equality, raise awareness about discrimination and celebrate the achievement of women.
The International Women’s Day campaign theme for 2023 was #EmbraceEquity. The aim was to get people talking about why equal opportunities just aren’t enough and everyone should know the difference between equality and equity.
How we celebrated IWD 2023
The Build a Business team at Tameside Libraries, part of the BIPC Greater Manchester, hosted the ‘Women Mean Business’ event at Droylsden Library. The Tameside Reporter reported on the event. This was their second International Women’s Day event. The previous year had been very well attended and enjoyed by everyone, so they decided to run it for a second year.
We were delighted to be asked to speak at the event to business women from the Tameside area, along with other inspirational speakers: Lynn Kerfoot, Managing Director of Newland Engineering; Annie Kèki, haute couture designer and founder of The Design and Sewing Studio; and Kelly Gray, Tameside Account Manager for GC Business Growth Hub.
We heard both personal accounts of what led these talented women into their businesses, and the hurdles they’d had to overcome. It was extremely inspiring. We also provided a personal account of our own experiences in leadership, how imposter syndrome can develop and be overcome, and gave reminders of what makes a good leader.
Imposter Syndrome in leadership
Psychotherapist and executive coach, Brian Daniel Norton, said: “When you experience systemic oppression or are directly or indirectly told your whole life that you’re less-than, or undeserving of success, and you begin to achieve things in a way that goes against a long-standing narrative in the mind, imposter syndrome will occur.” With that in mind, it’s no wonder that minority groups, including women, are more likely to develop imposter syndrome in business leadership roles.
When you consider the lives of many women, they tend to lead very busy and often hectic. They have to juggle everything from relationships, children and family, to health, finances and work. Women lead the way in all these areas of life – rarely without a choice – and it can be extremely difficult. All these areas of life are far more difficult to navigate than leading in business. So, if we can deal with everything life throws at us, why do we often feel like frauds when leading in business?
When looking at leadership, we need to consider our achievements in every aspect of our lives and not just in business. We also need to stop seeing imposter syndrome as a negative. Imposter syndrome can make people feel inadequate when they’re doing something outside of their comfort zone. Rather than seeing this as a negative, we should see them as learning opportunities and embrace them. Afterall, if we only did things that made us feel comfortable, we’d simply never grow.
Unleashing your potential as a female leader
Women in business have unique strengths and skills that can help them achieve success in leadership positions, whether in their own business or in employment. Studies have shown that women excel in areas such as collaboration, empathy, and relationship-building. These can be powerful tools for building strong teams and establishing positive connections with customers.
In addition, women often possess the ability to multitask and manage complex projects. These skills, combined with natural leadership qualities, can help women achieve goals and succeed in their career.
Overcoming barriers and challenges
Even in 2023, it’s important to acknowledge that female leaders may face unique challenges and obstacles. These situations can often prevent women from reaching their full potential. They may encounter gender bias, limited access to networking opportunities, or lack of representation in leadership positions.
However, these challenges shouldn’t hold women back. They have the strength and resilience to overcome any obstacle that comes their way.
These are just a few strategies to help women overcome these challenges:
- Build a strong support network. Surround yourself with mentors, sponsors, and peers who can offer guidance and support in advancing your career.
- Develop your skills and your knowledge and seek out opportunities for training and development. This may be through formal programs or on-the-job learning, and will help you build the skills you need to succeed.
- Don’t be afraid to speak up and advocate for yourself when it comes to pay, promotions, and opportunities. Make sure your contributions are recognised and valued.
- Look for employers who offer flexible working and other accommodations that can help you achieve a better work-life balance.
- Educate others about the value of diversity and inclusivity. This will help break down gender stereotypes and create a more supportive and fairer workplace.
- Build a strong network of professional relationships which is valuable for your career advancement. Attend networking events, join industry associations, and connect with colleagues and peers in your field.
- Don’t be afraid to pursue opportunities that may be outside of your comfort zone. This can help you build new skills, gain visibility, and demonstrate your leadership potential.
By following these strategies, you can rise above these barriers and achieve success.
Inspiring other women to lead
You have the opportunity to also inspire and empower other women to follow in your footsteps. By sharing your experiences and offering guidance and support, you can help to create a more inclusive and diverse world.
Whether you’re mentoring young women in their early careers, or advocating for greater representation of women in leadership positions, you have the power to make a difference. Your leadership and guidance can help to create a more supportive and equal workplace for women everywhere.
We want to encourage you to embrace your strengths as a female leader and to believe in your ability to achieve great things. By overcoming challenges, advocating for yourself, and inspiring others, you have the power to transform the business world and create a brighter future for women everywhere.
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All content in this article was correct at the time of publication.
