I was interviewed last week for an article on increasing the number of Woman in IT, it was in anticipation of a conference focusing on the challenge in the IT, Engineering and Construction industries. The conferencing is addressing industries with skill shortages, and looking to Woman as an obvious pool of resources that would solve a problem and introduce increased diversity into the workplace.
Questions included; What are some of the main differences between men and woman in a professional sense? do you think woman approach their careers in a different way? what could organisation's to to attract more woman to senior roles in IT? etc.
It was fascinating thinking about these questions, being 6 months pregnant, in a General Management position in a large successful IT services organisation. One of a handful of Senior Managers (GM or above) in a company of 3000+ people. We are a rare breed, as are Woman CEO's and woman representation on board's of companies.
I have been reflecting on it ever since, reflecting on many things as you tend to do when you are going through a major life change.
So in my opinion and experience here are some of the characteristics that woman tend to possess that make them an asset to any organisation and any industry, particularly IT:
- Higher emotional intelligence
- Empathetic, caring style of leadership
- Excellent planning and organisational ability
- Natural relationship building skills and ability
- Ambitious without being aggressively competitive
- High communication abilities
- Instinct and intuition which heightens decision making capabilities, combined with strong analytical skills in some results in a great combination
- Natural coaches and teachers
This is of course a very general list, thinking of high performing and capable woman that I know and have worked with, and I guess myself, some of the characteristics I possess which have contributed to my success. These skills I believe make us great team leaders, excellent project managers, great at HR, change management and roles which require you to possess these competencies in your field of interest.
I believe, based on what I am going through now, that a number of very capable woman get to a point in their lives where they decide they don't want the pressure of a senior role in IT, they know they are capable but they simply choose to do something else. As ultimately those roles require not only all of those traits above and more, but some which may not fulfill you as a person, may sit more out of your comfort zone.
A working example... my current position:
- Earning a very healthy 6 figure salary in a very successful organization
- Based on performance in my organisation, I was asked to take on the General Management role by the CEO, I didn't have to interview, there was no competition, I was "the obvious choice"
- Required to turn around a business that is significantly under performing and quoted by one highly respected director "if Wendie can't do it, no one can" (pressure... just a little!)
- Started in December 2009, find out pregnant in January 2010, announce to the organisation in late March 2010
- +6 months into the role, significant improvement in a number of areas but the financial performance is not turning around.... forecasting big losses ongoing if more doesn't change
I have never been a General Manager before, but this is my subject area, project delivery teams, I know the subject, I have the experience and I am capable. But do I have, and do I want to have some of those additional traits which I believe this specific senior role needs:
- Ruthlessness - making the hard decisions that impact peoples lives, in an objective way, without emotion.
- Tough Performance Management - one warning and your out. In a situation where people have not been developed before and may not have been given a chance with the right support to improve?
- Detailed Financial Analysis - the ability to enjoy the science of numbers and maths, remember them, quote them, analyse and enjoy the science of making a business tick
- Aggressiveness competitiveness - hunting new work, fighting my corner, protecting my back and fighting ego with ego
- High tolerance for pressure and willingness to work hard and long to get the job done
I think, to be honest, that to be in a senior role like mine you have to possess a little of the above, just enough, balanced with all the other great competencies you may have. But some roles and environments require you to possess a lot of it (and I have to say, that in pregnancy this becomes incredibly difficult, as your emotions are on the surface, you are exhausted, sick and sensitive and this makes you feel less capable in your role... maybe you are less capable during this time?).
Then, throw in the environment you work in, with highly capable men, who possess all of the above and then some. They know your pregnant, they have children too, but none of their behavior changes as a result and you don't get any sympathy, and limited understanding. You are still expected to do your job and do it well, and achieve the results you are paid good money to achieve, the pressure does not let up.
Interestingly the higher up the food chain the less support you get, it is lonely at the top. You do need to be selective as to who you go to and how you get support from your peers, you don't get recognition you crave and you are simply expected to perform.
So as a woman, do I want that? Will I ultimately be fulfilled in a role and environment like that, if it is hard now, when pregnant, won't it be harder as a working mum? Will I then be trying constantly to be excellent at all of my roles, mum, successful business woman and wife... yet feel I am failing in all aspects?
Or could I choose, to earn a little less, find a role and a culture that fits and gives me a sense of achievement, of balance, to be less stressed and just happier. Without the pressure. In an organisation that contributes more to the world, in an industry sector that may have more meaning and purpose. Alternatively, do I stick it out until I get to that position even more senior to really change the environment and create a culture that is needed to grow and develop more woman into senior roles? Or can I do both?
The awesome thing about being a woman in 2010, in the western world, is that we have choice, how great is that? We have choice, yes with choice comes fear but also adventure and ultimately satisfaction. This choice is I believe one of the many factors that influence the number of Woman in senior positions in IT. For me, these are some of the choices I am thinking about and are top of mind right now... scary, a little yeah, but exciting, absolutely.