The Impact of Women CEOs in Organisations
In this enlightening episode of the Jobs for Women podcast, Zoe Haydn Jones hosts Seema Shah, a principal consultant at Great Place to Work. The conversation delves deep into the mission and vision of creating workplaces that are not only efficient but also inclusive and supportive of all employees, regardless of their gender, age, or ethnicity.
Seema elaborates on the core mission of Great Place to Work, emphasising that their goal is to make every workplace a great place for everyone. She mentions, “Our mission really at Great Place to Work is to help every workplace become a great place to work for all, where everyone, no matter who they are, has that consistent and positive employee experience.” This sentiment aligns perfectly with the annual women’s workplace list they publish, which champions inclusivity and diversity.
The conversation also touches upon the importance of role models in the workplace. Zoe shares her experiences, stating, “When we talked about that role model piece, if there’s no woman at the top, how do you see yourself getting there?” Seema resonates with this sentiment, highlighting the palpable difference in workplace culture when there’s a female CEO or more women in senior roles.
Another pivotal theme discussed is the role of managers in fostering an inclusive environment. Seema emphasises the importance of training managers in inclusive management practices. She states, “It’s about creating a culture of relationship… It’s about really bringing men into that conversation, how can they actively promote gender equality as well and support.” Zoe echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of allyship and the need to call out inappropriate behaviors.
Towards the end of the podcast, Seema shares insights from her personal journey, discussing her previous leadership roles, her decision to take a career break, and her current role at “Great Place to Work.” She mentions, “Joining Great Place to Work last year has really changed me as a person.”
Quotes from the Podcast:
Seema Shah: “It’s about everyone having that great experience and being able to be themselves at work as well as really advance their careers.”
Zoe Haydn Jones: “This isn’t just me banging the drum for women… we need every ethnicity, everybody to be part of the conversation for the greater good.”
Seema Shah: “Gender equality and women but actually that thing about really bringing men into that conversation, how can they really actively promote gender equality as well and support.”
Zoe Haydn Jones: “Changing cultures is hard, especially in a bigger organization, but just having the conversations, that piece on calling out behavior… We’re never going to change the dial.”
The Impact of Women CEOs in Organisations
Seema Shah: “My last job we did have a senior CEO and you could totally tell the sort of the difference of culture that was set and it’s amazing. And I think what we see through, lots of our clients, that we work with a lot of those who have, either women CEOs or more women on that top table essentially. And you do see a different tone and obviously, there’s so much research out there as well in terms from us of Financial and performance perspective, that, organisations with more women in leadership roles tend to do better.”
Key Takeaways:
- Individual Needs: Organisations that cater to individual needs and create a supportive environment tend to perform better.
- Continuous Feedback: It’s crucial for organisations to continuously listen and gather feedback, ensuring a safe environment for employees to voice their concerns.
- Inclusive Management: Training managers in inclusive management practices can lead to a more harmonious and productive workplace.
- Role of Men: Men play a crucial role in promoting gender equality. Their active involvement and allyship can significantly impact workplace culture.
Calling Out Behavior: Addressing and rectifying inappropriate behaviors, especially biases, is essential for fostering a positive work environment.
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