Celebrating the women who shaped my career
- Steve Thorlby-Coy
- Feb 9, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 9, 2022
[Originally posted on LinkedIn - 8th March 2020]
This International Women's Day (8th March 2020), I'm reflecting on the women who shaped my life and career.
If I'm honest, part of me feels a little uncomfortable about writing this. I'm sincere but worried it may come across as patronising, a token gesture or some sort of PC, right-on, bandwagon jump.
Whilst I believe I've always given equal opportunity regardless of gender, or any other characteristic, I realise that as a white man I've probably not faced the barriers that others do. I'd like to think that discrimination is a thing of the past, but I know this is naive.
When I reflect on the people that have helped me most in my career, the best bosses, colleagues, coaches and mentors, the majority of them are women.
Amanda Sunter challenged me and spurred me on after a number of years in manufacturing where I hadn't had that focus. She was also there for me years after we stopped working together when I needed career advice.
Lesley Bowes showed determination, a clear vision, a relentless consistency and high expectations which motivated me to turn around a school IT support function.
Sarah Caulkin provided a calm, focused, fun and professional environment which helped me, and others, to succeed at Relate. She gave me opportunities to be involved in a wide variety of work, which gave me vital experience for my next steps. She has also been someone I can call on for advice years later.
Lin Griffiths at Relate took my vision, and pushed it forward with energy and passion. She was generous in sharing her skills, knowledge and experience, which taught me what I needed to know to deliver services - whether I thought I needed it or not!
Cheryl Ward at Family Fund gave me a model of leadership that was empowering and enabling, and creating a culture that could be challenging and outcome focused, as well as warm, supportive and fun.
There are so many more of course that I couldn't possibly name them all:
Senior management peers that have approached me to offer help, advice and encouragement when they could tell I was struggling.
Colleagues in my team that have called me out, spurring me on to try harder, and helping me to bring more of my authentic self to work.
Colleagues in my team and in other teams that I can trust to just work hard, do the right things and deliver.
Directors and Board members who probably didn't realise the impact that a few moments of their time to share their experiences, ask challenging questions, give advice or provide a reassuring comment would have.
When I reached out to senior leaders for my MBA research, more women than men gave me their time and shared their knowledge and experience.
Women are traditionally outnumbered in IT and Data roles, of course, but I am proud to say that at Yorkshire Housing I have three incredibly talented and hard working managers, all of whom are women. They are all different characters, and they all bring skills, experience and strength of character to be able to deliver high quality technical services at a time of rapid change. We're growing our team at the moment, and I'm also pleased that we're attracting very impressive female candidates that I know will be able to deliver our ambitious plans.
These are some of the women that I have felt inspired by, and in awe of, at work. Thank you all, and I will keep working to create a more equal workplace.
As a qualified coach, I can help you to be more self-aware and confident in your abilities and address work challenges. Reach out if you'd like to discuss coaching with me. I offer career/work coaching for people in any role. I am able to offer a blend of coaching and mentoring for people in IT and change roles, particularly managers or aspiring managers.
I am currently able to offer sessions free of charge - contact me via LinkedIn or Twitter
Comments