I went to see the film Suffragette with one of my dearest friends from college. We went at my suggestion — largely because Carey Mulligan and Meryl Streep were too alluring a prospect to miss, being two of my favourite actresses. I was expecting a cinematographic feast of some kind for that reason alone. What I was not expecting was the anger it evoked in me, pretty much from the outset.
I had never considered myself to have encountered sexism in a way, on a scale, or in a context that had significantly jeopardised my career prospects or sense of self. But suddenly, as I watched Carey Mulligan’s consciousness rise up, that changed and I felt my own do the same, with a dual focus on the personal and the collective.
First, the collective.
Women in the UK got equal voting rights in 1928 — that’s just 87 years ago. And arguably, Suffragette movement aside, it was the War that tipped the balance in “proving” that women could be relied upon to hold responsible positions in society outside of the home. In Switzerland the same was granted in 1971!! Now, in 2015, according to the UN, 22% of all national parliamentarians were female in August of this year. In the UK there are currently 191 female MPs out of a total of 650 members of parliament, and 32% of David Cameron’s Cabinet is made up of women. In the world of business, according the Davies report, women now account for 23.5% of FTSE 100 board members, up from 12.5% in 2011. While I knew all this to be true, the reality of that suddenly hit home last Sunday night at the Odeon Covent Garden.
And then there is the personal.
I have always been a fairly straight talking, direct kind of person, often of strong opinions, definitely an independent thinker. I am often perceived to be very confident. I am smart, articulate, quick thinking and a little lacking in reverence for those in authority. I am also tall, have short hair, and a low voice. I am also lots of other things of course. Many, if not all of those characteristics would be lauded in a man, I believe. However…and alas, I can’t give you stats here, I have a strong felt sense that held within a female gender, these are not considered qualities so much as pains in the backside to the majority of men in a personal and professional context. And this was the source of my personal anger and sadness as I watched Carey Mulligan rise up!
There is a personal leadership challenge in all of this for me in my life and work. And plenty of personal enquiry and development, no doubt. There is also a renewed sense of purpose around the question of female and feminine leadership that I bring to Neon. It is a complex and emotive subject, but the fact is that the history of our institutions and societal structures has long been tipped in favour of men, masculine values and traits. Unpicking this and its implications for men and women, for balanced and effective leadership and a better world, is hugely challenging and so very badly needed.
And so, I ask you..what is your experience? What do you notice about gender dynamics in your life and work? What plays out at an organisational and personal level and with what impact for you and others? What are the values and traits that are rewarded in your team and organisational culture? What is the balance of the masculine and feminine? What is really needed and who is going to lead for this?