Here are some top tips from women who came on one of my seminars about how we can be change agents for a more inclusive working culture

q       Consider stakeholders when embarking on a new project which could lead to cultural changes. This would ensure joined up thinking and communication. When it is time to launch the changes there are no hidden surprises for anyone - giving a professional image and credibility.

q       Have the courage to challenge upwards as a senior female leader. Quite often given the choice it is easier to take the option to only manage down. Challenging upward starts to present recognition - having a voice and ensuring it is heard.

q       Have confidence, by overcoming any fears, to challenge in a positive way.

q       In hiring make sure that inequities are managed i.e. broaden the acceptable range of acceptable leadership styles.

q       ‘Call’ behaviour and encourage zero tolerance to unacceptable behaviour when done to you or others.

q       Raise awareness re differences, equipping men and women to understand and build on the synergy.

q       Change your approach when required i.e. flex communication style. In other words remember to align and re-direct!

q       As leaders – take responsibility for embedding values in the organisation.

q       Clarify what ‘good’ or acceptable behaviour looks like.

q       Explain the commerciality for changing the culture i.e. to increase market share through understanding the customer better, retaining talent, avoiding ‘group think’ through diversity.

q       Encourage men and women in being themselves.

q       Lead by example and ‘role model’ inclusive behaviours and flexible working.

q       Recognise people as individuals not stereotypes.

q       Avoid gender connotations.

q       Recruit/enrol and influence at the top as a key imperative. Remember that people don’t know what they don’t know.

q       Consider how would men respond to this activity?

     I got this lovely email from a senior leader in Qatar aboutwww.genderiq.tv webinars. I love the internet for the opportunity it gives to create massive change

     Dear Ms. Tracey,

      I hope this finds you well. I have watched all the webcasts and I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn from this excellent work. You have addressed in these webcasts the issues that have been missing in the all the leadership training I had.

      You mentioned your interst in the cultural diverences and I come from a small Arab country called Qatar. Women participation in the labor force started arround twenty five years ago. We do not have a lot of  women in leadership positions and women are still not widely accepted as leaders, even by women and this   have been proven by a recent study by female Qatari scholar. I am one of the women who have made it to leadership position and the challenges are great.

      I would love to purchase soft copies of these workbooks and the DVDs if they are available.

      I would also love to read more of your work.

     Thank you again for your excellent work.

     Kindest regards,

     Noor