By Cathy Doyle, President, International Women’s Forum Australia
In rock climbing, a belayer is the person who manages the rope so as to catch the climber on the other end in case of a fall or a slip. No matter your career stage or industry, we all stumble now and then, but having that person, or people, who are there to support you can be instrumental in determining your next move.
Having led the people function at the likes of Qantas, NRMA, MacDonalds, Perpetual and CommBank, throughout my career I’ve observed promising young women unfortunately not be able to fulfil their true potential. They’ve been held back, either by some internal conundrum, or due to external factors they’ve been unable to overcome.
We all know the disappointing stats, nine per cent of CEOs in the ASX300 are women, just 0.7% of all venture capital in Australia goes to 100% female-founded and led businesses and Australian women would need to work an additional 44 days a year to earn the same as men.
To turn the tide in 2025 future women leaders can take steps in three key areas that will help them overcome common challenges, step into their power, be their best and thrive.
1. Connecting as women
Studies show women are 15 times more likely to experience imposter syndrome than men so, to drown out the internal monologue, we need to hear people telling us that, yes, we can do it.
Females in business, whether employees, business owners or leaders, need to assemble their biggest cheerleaders. Seek out and join relevant groups where they can build a solid network of people firmly in their corner. These groups are in every area of Australia and can be community-led or grassroots movements to national and international networks like International Women’s Forum.
Joining groups that resonate with you will help you find your tribe, fellow women with whom you feel safe to share what you may be struggling with and who can provide practical advice based on experience.
2. Grow as leaders
Learning should be life-long. Aspiring women leaders should be deliberate in their professional development to advance their careers.
Get inspired from hearing the experiences and lessons of those who’ve been there, done that, by attending events, reading books and articles. Being aware that others have achieved a feat before can be the key that gives women permission to take bigger strides and reach higher.
Put your hand up for the senior role, apply for the stretch job even if you feel you aren’t capable – chances are you are.
3. Advancing women’s leadership
But it shouldn’t all be on her. Time’s up for businesses to instil leadership programs, ensure fair pay and that workplace policies are inclusive. All workplaces need to offer programs to combat self-doubt and raise awareness of unconscious bias.
When women can’t see themselves in senior positions in their organisation they will look elsewhere, and the vicious cycle continues. Instating women leaders in a business has a ripple effect on the broader business and paves the way for others to climb the ranks.
Women and men who are in leadership positions should actively find a mentee, a woman with promise that could benefit from their wisdom, to support them in their growth.
If you wear the battle scares, put your hand up to join the panel or share your views with a journalist and be the catalyst for others to be brave.
So this year, women and men in business, consider women in your network that deserve an introduction, a promotion, an invite or some reassurance. Be the belayer. Catch her and assist her in finding her grip, steady her nerves so she can continue to reach upwards.
And to my sisters, seek out the belayer, find your cheerleaders, the employer that values equality, join the industry group, read her book, attend her talk and reach out to that prospective mentor.
Together, we need to be defiant in ensuring tomorrow’s women leaders have a brighter future.
Photo by Noah Master on Unsplash
