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All Golds Business Breakfast

17th April 2015

Your Business. Better. Women in the Boardroom

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Your Business. Better. Women in the

Boardroom

“Gender diversity in the boardroom results in better business outcomes, but what is our contribution to ‘Everyday Sexism’ (Laura Day)? How can we ensure as women we ‘Lean In’ as Sheryl Sandberg suggests; as men we embrace UN Women’s HeForShe campaign and together we find a way beyond John Gray’s, ‘Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus’?”

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Question One

Thinking about groups you are part of, what differences do you notice between how decisions are made, and the quality of them, in gender diverse groups, to single gender groups?

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Question One - Output

• Openness

• Different Views

• Collaborative

• Empathy

• Decisiveness & Thoughtfulness

• Benefit of single gender:

Comfort zone

Open to engage

• Too many Alpha Males= wrong

decision if egos take over

• Language used

• Chauvinistic attitudes

• Decision Making Process: Black & White Considered Consequences• Inclusive• Balanced view• People in a mixed board there

because they have earned their place

• More collaborative• Diversity gives a better, considered

view

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Question Two

What does sexism look and sound like?

“To run like a girl”“Typical man, doesn’t listen”

What are the most effective ways to deal with sexism when it happens?

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Question Two - Output

• Stereotypes

• “Women don’t tend to succeed in this company”

• Pointing out woman/man when irrelevant

• Age & Experience/Maturity• Recognising it - Addressing it, but

Diversity is good – strength• Education• Areas of respect for others• Positive Role Models• Speak up/Challenge• He for she (support for opposite sex)• Equality• Structured facilitated Discussions• Challenging young• Powerful to have men stand up to it• Feed it back• Be good/better

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Question Three

What can we individually do today, and onwards, to change the future for ourselves, our daughters, sisters and nieces, our brothers, sons, nephews?

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Question Three - Output

• Set an Example

• Challenge Perception/Prejudice

• Don’t accept it

• Encourage Diversity

• Quota beneficial?

• Instill Confidence

• Education

Formal

Informal

Workplace Training

• Go back to our organisations and start the conversation

• Passing on to children and young people

• Inclusion raising awareness, both in and out of organisation

• Encourage the right role models and sponsors

• Encourage inclusive leadership• Twitter: follow @theglasslift• Share experiences – Reinforce• Treat genders equally