What did your workplace look like on your first day? How many people could you relate to? How many looked like you, sounded like you? Had the same background, beliefs or upbringing as you? This experience will vary depending on your age, and even more so depending on your sexuality, your race, if you have a disability and, of course, your gender.
When I started in the real estate industry over 20 years ago women were very much in the minority, often in key support roles and functions. Many of the women in leadership roles had to have a hard “edge” to them. They had fought hard to be recognised as an equal, often surpassing the achievements of their male colleagues to be invited into the room. That hardness was a result of fighting to have that one place at the table – one woman (usually white, cis, non-disabled and straight) was enough to show the company was willing to support women if they really wanted to have a career rather than stay at home with the children.
Today workplaces and the real estate industry look significantly different. Increasingly workplaces reflect the world in which we operate rather than those of old institutions. We all bring our own unique view of the world and gender is just one small part of our identity.
Businesses understand the importance of diversity of thought, and this isn’t just about gender diversity. It’s about our race, our socioeconomic background, who we love, how we identify, if we have a disability, our neurodiversity, our caring responsibilities and our beliefs. We are three dimensional beings. We bring all of these aspects of ourselves with us every day, the decision we have is if we hide parts of ourselves or if we honour every part of our identity openly and bring the power of our whole selves to our work.
I am nervous, a little scared if I’m honest with the reactionary rhetoric that has been coming through recently. The rights and the voice we fought for seem to be under attack, I believe passionately we need to protect this hard-won freedom for future generations. I spoke with my teenage niece this week and I asked what she thought of IWD, she said that she “couldn’t believe that we have to have it” she then followed up with a story about a boy in her class who says “women are only good for one thing and they should be in the kitchen”. I asked if he was joking around, “no, he really thinks that!” If we’re honest with ourselves, we know there are plenty of people who want to stop the progress of equality.
Giving women the same opportunities as men also means men are given the same opportunities as women. It doesn’t stop men progressing, it opens doors for us all.
If you think men don’t want equal parenting, then I’d ask who you are speaking to? I would encourage you to check out the brilliant Elliot Rae and his “Parenting Out Loud” campaign to empower working dads.
There is more than one place at the table for women. The more diverse the people are around that table the broader and richer the conversation will be so let’s focus on lifting each other up rather than lifting the ladder.
This International Women’s Day supports ALL women and girls, EVERYONE who identifies as a woman.
For when we combine our power the possibilities are endless.
