Finance Monthly August 2019 Edition

here are very few industries as competitive as finance, not least because there are so many challenges from the threat of artificial intelligence (AI) technology ultimately reducing headcounts in addition to the challenges posed by compliance and regulation. The good news is that diversity within the workplace is improving, as reported in the HM Treasury Women in Finance Charter: Annual Review 2018 published in March 2019. As well as more women taking senior leadership roles, the report acknowledges that flexible working, leadership and development programmes, mentoring and sponsorship all have a crucial role to play. If you are a so-called alpha female, one who is highly competitive, has very high standards and is prone to bouts of hyperactivity, you may be extremely successful in the finance world but you will need to be more wary than most on the risk of burnout. I know from my own experience that burning too brightly, too fast, can lead to a shut-down, and in my case, this meant an immune collapse. Having overcome this setback and now on track with a career I adore, I decided to share my experience in a new book, Flourish, published by Rethink Press, aimed at businesswomen. Sadly, there are amazing women in the world of finance who aren’t burning brightly. They’re burning out and burning out young. Some are losing respect for themselves and their natural rhythms. In all of the drive to succeed and achieve, they’re also in danger of losing their sense of belonging and community. Burnout is now such a significant workplace issue that it is a legitimate medical diagnosis, recently added to the International Classification of Diseases, published by the World Health Organisation’s handbook that guides medical providers in analysing diseases. That’s why I’ve developed the Energy- SCAPE model to help working women hop-off life’s treadmill and achieve rapid success in the areas of life that matter most. I encourage deep self-awareness, conscious cleansing, positive habits and purposeful action, play and enrichment, teaching women how to honour their personal energy flow to unleash their best self. So, where do you start? I believe that the most important thing in life is inner energy. I look at a productivity balance system with six elements that need to be addressed. Sleep patterns – are they restorative or fitful? Is there optimal nutrition in your diet? Do you rely on fake energy, such as caffeine? Do you know how to relax? Do you experience emotional stress and what burdens weigh heavily on your shoulders? Are you prone to extreme productivity through overwork, over-exercise, overthinking and generally overdoing things? Extreme productivity is an all-too- common energy crime committed by modern women every day and it’s something we, high-achieving women, are proud to have burnt into our psyches. We almost don’t notice that we’re extreme. We consider it part of life’s plan. All too often we trip head-long into frantic productivity through social conditioning born of competitiveness and goal obsession, with abominable disregard for other areas of our lives. It’s also a way of hiding from emotional stress. Top hacks to improve productivity balance for alpha females My anti-burnout advice includes guidance on how to redefine success. I’ve recently read a lovely quote from Gemma White QC who was asked: “What is the best advice you’ve T Burnout is now such a significant workplace issue that it is a legitimate medical diagnosis, recently added to the International Classification of Diseases. “ “ 33 www.finance-monthly.com WOMEN IN FINANCE - SUCCEEDING WITHOUT BURNOUT