Change Makers: How to Influence for Good

As Anita Roddick so aptly said it, “If you think you're too small to have an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito.”

From the films we watch, the articles we read, the people we speak to or the places we go – we are all influenced by someone or something every day. Likewise, whether you consider yourself a leader or not, what we do as individuals – either at home, in the workplace or in the community – impacts others.

Throughout June, The Women’s Organisation have been asking women and businesses, ‘how can you influence for good?’

Whether it’s making small changes in our own lives, implementing policies in the workplace or speaking out on social media about wider issues that mean something to us, we all have the power to make change. So how can we use that impact for good?

Since 1996, our organisation has promoted women’s personal and economic development, locally, nationally and internationally. During this time, we have engaged with over 60,000 women across the Liverpool City Region, supporting them to truly believe in what they can achieve.

In 23 years, we’ve built a diverse community of women who utilise our services, collaborate with the organisation, interact with us across social media or visit our flagship facility for women, 54 St James Street.

Having recently reached the milestone of 20,000 followers on Twitter, our platform has evolved into a safe space to share ideas around women’s issues. This month, we asked “how can women empower other women in the workplace?” which created a thread of inspiring ideas that we wanted to share:

Tomorrow’s Women Wirral: “Be a womanhood! In unity is strength, so share your life experiences, your skills, your hobbies & interests and support one another. Give each other a voice. Listen, talk, learn!”

Lisa Pearson: “Be willing to share your experience & life hacks with each other (both personal & professional). Let’s be honest - life is a minefield sometimes, it’s always good to know someone has been there, done that & survived!”

Anna B Sexton: “Make space for those who might not he offered it, learn when my voice isn't needed, run women only events, share and celebrate other women's success, acknowledge all women across the spectrum that is.”

Rachael O’Byrne: “If you’re in a meeting and a woman, let’s call her Sarah, makes a point and then a man makes exactly the same point afterwards, respond to the man saying; “yes a good/ interesting point you and Sarah have just made.”

Zoe Yak: “Understand that class makes it even harder to be a woman in business. We need empower but ensure we’re doing extra to empower women from working class backgrounds, single mothers and those without a university education who might have been taught to “stay in their lane”.”

Mandy Sinclair: “Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and be honest. Give your time to other women and share your real experiences. It's ok to say it’s hard, and that you sometimes struggle and have confidence issues. Owning up to that and sharing how you overcome that is really valuable.”

Andrea Heslop: “I believe it’s taking other like-minded women with you to share the opportunities don’t get there then shut everyone else out. Empower them. Surround yourself with positive liked minded women in your network.”

Francesca G.E Manca: “Support each other. Compliment and praise other women for their success. Help those at the start of their career to grow and shine. And never, NEVER stay silent when witnessing any kind from bullying, mobbing, prevarication, or any other threatening or demeaning behaviour.”

Marie Hall: “Encourage women to use their voice and be voice their ideas. See, connect and engage with other women from the trainees to women on the Board. Be present, speak up and be proud yourself so that other women see you doing this and feel safe to do the same. Make imperfection ok.”

Influencing others for good when it comes to women in the workplace means a lot to us. This month, take some time to raise conversation with others on the issues that matter to you – whether it’s gender equality, climate change, politics, human rights or something else.

From posting a tweet to a chat with a colleague in the staff room, your voice has the power to #InfluenceForGood.

Did you enjoy this content? Why not take a read of 9 ways to implement gender equality into your organisation.

Get involved in the #InfluenceForGood conversation on our Twitter!

‘BE BOLD’ – Trailblazing Women Share Stories and Advice at Business Breakfast

As 2018 marks the centenary of voting rights for (some) women, Business Breakfast celebrated the trailblazing women in business who are continuing to lead the charge for equality to this very day.

We headed to Museum of Liverpool to discover stories, experiences and advice from influential women who successfully established themselves in the modern working world. Guest speakers included; CEO of The Women’s Organisation, Maggie O’Carroll, Director of Museum of Liverpool & Merseyside Maritime Museum at National Museums Liverpool, Janet Dugdale and Former General Manager of Microsoft and current CEO of Earthport, Amanda Mesler.

With an early start, the women of Liverpool turned out in high numbers ready for coffee, pastries and a morning of empowerment. Up first, Janet Dugdale touched on 100 years of suffrage, paying particular attention to Lydia Becker a great leader in the early British suffrage movement. Janet reiterated the importance of powerful women today following in her footsteps, “together we can connect, collaborate and have a voice...”

Up next, CEO of The Women’s Organisation Maggie O’Carroll asked guests to put their hands up if they considered themselves a leader, with only half of the room reacting: “If this was a room full of men, there’d be quite a different response”. 

Maggie identified the most corrosive element to women climbing the ladder is that women don’t believe they’re leaders, she stated that true leadership is investing in yourself and helping others along the way: “leadership is an ill-defined concept, so make of it what you want and develop your own style. You ARE women who lead – don’t forget it!”

Finally, we heard from the incredible Amanda Mesler! Amanda’s wealth of executive experience in the corporate world, alongside being a mum to three daughters, has made her passionate about helping women create and achieve their ambitions. Amanda’s words of advice were, “fake it until you make it”, she recalled getting an ambitious job that she was the least qualified for: “confidence is key - initiative over experience is my mantra.”

Juggling a demanding job with international travel, alongside being a mother and having a passion for sports and running, some may ask just HOW Amanda maintains balance: “I’m always asked about balance, it doesn’t exist. That’s why I have four pillars of strength: family, international career, sports (Everton) and giving back. It usually only takes a little bit of energy to get me back on track, and I can get that from my pillars”.

Amanda recently became the CEO of Earthport, an upcoming business that helps with cross-border payments, “I run the company and get to change the culture. If I say diversity is important, if I say gender equality is absolutely critical, it’s going to happen because I have the power to make it happen” – YES AMANDA!

Having travelled to Liverpool for an Everton game several years back, Amanda fell in love with Goodison Park, our city and the people within it: “Me and my daughter went to one match at Goodison and completely fell in love. I love the community of the city, it’s my favourite city in the U.K.”

Amanda’s final words of wisdom, “Be bold. Have confidence in yourself. Fake it till you make it. You are already a leader, you can make a difference and you will make a difference.”

After a morning of inspiring discussion, Maggie then asked for a second time “who considers themselves a leader?” – we had a room full of hands up.

Feedback included:

What a great inspiring session, one of the best I’ve attended

Inspiring event, great speakers, amazing venue and lots of lessons to take back to the office. I look forward to the next one.

A fantastic, motivational talk. It’s great to have insight into what women can achieve. Family AND career is doable.

WOW! What a truly inspiring morning. So great to hear other stories. I feel inspired and empowered. Thank you.

Inspiring keynote speeches. All the women who spoke made me feel empowered to remember ‘I am a leader’ in my own life in every aspect. Thank you – I look forward to more events.

Inspirational! Given me the motivation to lead and have confidence in myself.

A massive THANK YOU to everyone who attended our Business Breakfast, as well as to our event partners Museum of Liverpool.

If you enjoyed Business Breakfast, we have TWO more networking events throughout summer. Join us on 24^th July, 6-8:30pm for some Summer Speed Networking, and on 23^rd of August, 2-4pm for an in-depth discussion with Julia Keyes and Jacqueline Coles, Being an Empowered Woman.

Alternatively, contact us on 01517068111 or hello@thewo.org.uk for more information.