Let’s stop ticking boxes ……

March saw us celebrate International Women’s Day. I am often asked what this day means to me and I think my answer changes slightly each year.

The timing this year was pivotal for me, for so many reasons. On reflection, I had found myself stuck in a pattern of reinforcing (what I viewed as) negative behaviours, in a fixed mindset. Then right on time, as these things often are, a sequence of events shook things up for me. My mission was reinvigorated, and my purpose highlighted like never before.

The first of these events may seem small, a quote from Verna Meyers at an event being delivered by Sophia Jowett

“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance” - Verna Meyers

Check out this YouTube recording of a presentation delivered by Verna, which delved deeper into this topic.

Verna talks about diversity versus inclusion; that diversity is the numbers through the door and inclusion is cultivating, supporting and built on relationships.

Diversity is a tick box exercise, inclusion is where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

So how can we cultivate a more inclusive environment? We first need to address our biases.

Yes, we ALL have biases. Have you heard the story of the American Orchestra who held blind auditions? The number of women who were selected into the orchestra increased 5-fold. Coincidence? Definitely not.

 As Verna explains, how can we all move towards merit and away from preference?

 Well, Verna suggests we interrupt bias – correct inappropriate comments and language, ask questions and become an ally. She also encourages us to promote inclusion – consider your own behaviour, show interest, pay attention to the small things and notice language.

In short,

“We have to be pro-actively anti-biased, that’s how we become more inclusive” - Verna Myers

Pro-actively anti-biased. Let that digest for a moment.

This means we must consciously make a choice to do something different, to grow. Which brings me nicely to the latest book I am reading “Mindset” by Carol Dweck. I highly recommend.

Carol talks through the difference between people with a growth mindset compared to those who are fixed. This is how I recognised my own thoughts and behaviours as a fixed mindset, which nudged me into action.

The timing of this realisation was also perfect (did I mention I believe in fate), I started reading the book on my flight to Portland for the Nike x EY WABN Roundtable. This event had such a profound impact.

During an action packed 2.5 days we explored our personal purpose, learnt how to “power up” our careers, connected with fellow Olympians from all over the world and networked till we couldn’t network no more!

I came away from this event with a really clear picture of my identity and what my personal purpose is

“Dynamically lead to inspire others”

So, what?

We have to be able to authentically live our purpose day in day out. For me this means letting my personality shine through in the way I lead the teams I work with, to show others they can realise their potential.

How does this all tie in? I hear you cry. I was asking myself the same thing ………

Living my personal purpose authentically is having a growth mindset approach to being pro-actively anti-biased.

 So, let’s stop talking about the number of women in coaching, stop trying to hit “quotas” because all this is just the tip of the iceberg. The root cause is far deeper than that, it’s a matter of INCLUSION, where EVERYONE has the opportunity to be successful.