Finance Monthly August 2019 Edition

38 www.finance-monthly.com WOMEN IN FINANCE - HOW CAN WOMEN STEP UP & STAND OUT This is a continuing situation in many boardrooms, meetings and network environments today. So how can a woman step over the hurdles? How can a woman stand up and still be respected, regarded and, dare I say it, even liked? One of the most delicate tightropes a woman has to walk is managing aggression and anger. Finding the right balance in the numerous situations that arouse anger is one of the most critical moves a woman in a senior position has to make. Exert too much aggression and there will be complaints, too little and you are seen as weak. And you probably won’t be liked! In Katty Kay and Claire Shipman’s book, The Confidence Code, they cite a conversation between Christine Lagarde and Angela Merkel: “When we work on a particular matter, we will work the file inside, outside, sideways, backwards, historically genetically and geographically. We want to be completely on top of everything and we want to understand it all and we don’t want to be fooled by somebody else.” I believe that herein lies the essence of our problem as working women - perfectionism, overthinking and the need to be liked. We are faced with deep prejudice and tradition. We struggle against unequal pay, conditions and access to better opportunities. In turn, we create our own obstacles. Partly, they are triggered by the indoctrinations we receive as girls growing up. For example, the ineffectual advice about marriage and being nice. Topics that are rarely taught or discussed with boys. Then, there is the undeniable fact that when you do have children your career, your journey to the top, will be redirected, put on hold and sometimes even replaced by a twenty- something, newer model. How do we as women break through these issues? How do we move around, step over or even overcome them? Developing confidence, courage and creativity, in theory, is key to standing up to the real external and internal obstacles. But, in practice, how do we walk that delicate tightrope? I have found all too often that the softly-softly approach does not work. Yes, be polite and diplomatic whenever you can but there comes a point when that manner is overlooked, ignored or side-stepped by those around you. The decisions are hard. The risks are high. In the end, you have to recognise your values, your level of quality and care - and make that decision. I believe that herein lies the essence of our problem as working women - perfectionism, overthinking and the need to be liked. “ “ “ “ Developing confidence, courage and creativity, in theory, is key to standing up to the real external and internal obstacles.