How to take stock and invest in gender equity

Inspired Search took over Inspired Live this month by bringing an incredibly inspiring event – How to take stock and invest in gender equity. 

Abigail, our Search Director, hosted a discussion which spoke to the International Women’s Day theme of #InspiringInclusion through: taking stock of some of the most inspiring initiatives of the moment, discussing impactful ways in which businesses can invest in gender equity and considering how companies’ most valuable asset – their staff - can effectively influence Boards and Senior Leadership Teams to make further change happen. 

Abigail was joined by Laura Meyer, CIO, Angel investor & Advisor and Yan Zhuchen-Mander Co-Director of The FLIP (Female Leadership In Publishing) who, together with their lived experiences, research and own initiative, gave us simultaneously a very real, an honest and a hopeful view of why more investment in gender equity is needed and the ways in which it can be most effectively executed.  

The conversation kicked off by looking at what we are inspired by right now, discussing those initiatives which are making a really energising and hopeful impact on the inclusivity of cultures. We were inspired by Angel Academe (an investor network for female founder start-ups and with which Laura is directly involved), Wellbeing of Women, chaired by Professor Dame Lesley Regan, 55 Redefined which supports businesses on age diversity, Women in Technology as well as those more closely linked with publishing such as Knights Of, Creative Access and, of course The Flip! All of these organisations are challenging societal norms and cultural biases in some way with a clear path to action for a more inclusive world. 

With gender equity still a goal, rather than reality, for many industries, organisations and indeed society, the work of such organisations is vital. But if we are truly going to reach this goal then every organisation needs to channel a framework of inclusivity and equity. This Inspired Live panel shed light on some of the ways this can be done: 

• Take Stock: of your HR policies, practices and recruitment processes. Do they support gender equity? Does the language in them lend itself to any gender? 
• Invest: putting time, energy and money into effective networks to support a diverse workforce and things they might be experiencing such as the Menopause can be the difference between someone surviving at work and them thriving. Creating mentoring programmes that provide career support through honest conversations about both development and the range of pathways available can create really safe spaces in the workplace for people to problem-solve and grow. 
• Trust your assets: Undoubtedly, the staff are your biggest asset and whatever level they’re operating at, can play a pivotal role in shaping the culture of a business if they’re listened to. We heard excellent advice to anyone looking to bring ideas or new initiatives about inclusivity to a Senior Leadership Team with solutions and data being critical to the success of that. 

It became evident very quickly that over and above having strong policies and frameworks in place, if gender equity is going to be achieved, they all need to be upheld by the authentic culture of the business. A culture where one can bring as much of their real self to work as they choose, and if they choose to bring it all, there would be a safe enough space for any part of that to be welcomed. If this isn’t the case already in your organisation, why not? What would it take to change that? 

Don’t just take our word for it though… this is just the surface of what was discussed and we warmly welcome you to access the full discussion through this link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3siLpzzyzI 

Until you get a chance to do that, keep reading, learning and investing in yourself! Invest in relationships with people who ‘fill your cup’, and in time you take to champion others. You’re the start of a ripple effect to make 2024 a more inclusive year! 

For more information about, and a downloadable version of, the white paper mentioned in this Inspired Live panel, please visit the  Inspired Library here.

For further discussion on topic, please do not hesitate to contact Search Director, and Chair of this panel – Abigail Barclay: a.barclay@inspriedselection.com