Issue 06: Male Allies Matter

For me being a Male All of The Women’s Foundation and part of the Professional Women’s Network (PWN) at State Street has been a real eye opener and I hope has made me a better manager, husband and father.

What went through your mind when your daughter and son were born?

My daughter Tilly is the older of the two, much as the pre-natal classes and conversations try to help, nothing can really prepare you for becoming a parent. I remember arriving home after Tilly was born and putting her down in front of us in her car seat, all I could say to my wife wasNow we just need to keep her alive! You have this overwhelming feeling of duty to entirely on you.

By the time my son was born just over 2 years later I already knew he was going to have a lot to do to live up to his sister. I think it’s natural to compare them but I hadn’t really that they could be treated differently.

Many years on, what are your hopes, dreams and fears for them.. and specifically you ambitions for your daughter? Are they different from what you envision for your son?

All that matters is that they both find something they love doing and can excel at. Work-wise, I hope they enjoy it. I wish the same forboth: a career that fulfils them and a family life that brings love and support. My fear for my daughter is burnout. We are aware of the research showing how female wellbeing can be a challenge, and while we can help build resilience and provide support, the pressures of daily life can take their toll.

What started you on this journey to become a Male Ally?

It was 5 years ago and I’ve been working for nearly 20o it was probably about the time that I started to wonder what my daughter might like to do in terms of a career. I looked around me and realised the similarity of people in my line of work. My daughter actually has very different ambitions, but what if she wants to do something in Finance, why should she have to be an exception as a womn in senior managementThat got me to think that if there were challenges in my industry it was likely the same for many. mall changes at the bottom but in the end it’s more important that make it a priority That’s also why the research done into the performance of organisations with more balanced leadership teams is so powerful.

I’m glad to say that working on both top down and bottom up approaches to change. The PWN are gaining support from employees and managers to raise awarenessith awareness comes change, while it may be gradual it is effectivesmall in terms of both visibility and culture.

What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered in your support for women?

I think the biggest challenge is that some men feel immediately threatened from a career perspectiv. There is still a significant problem across all industries where we see a lack of career development for women and its interesting to note that its not always the men holding women back. For me there are a number of elements where HR departments are in a great position to effect change – hiring practices, compensation, promotion processes to name a few. In addition it’s the responsibility of everyone to ensure that meetings, panels, forums, committees and boards are not an all-male affair.

What role can girls play in helping their male friends, brothers and peers become allies?

The most important thing we can do is to continue to talk openly and to relate matter to us. All men have important women in their lives, hate to see them treated differently, so we need to be reminding people to stand up for their wives, daughters, sisters and friends.

Encouraging others to take the ledge and display itmay seem like a small step but by making it a visual part of the workplace conscious decision must not be made to feel that academic excellence , wide spectrum of skills that and that there is a place and fit for all.

To your mind, how can male advocacy help advance a young woman’s career?

The broadening of understanding around flexible working as being as important for men to be able to support their wives and families, has led to friends and colleagues left behind during the young family stage. This is a crucial stage when careers are developing and mothers can lose out on promotion and development opportunities that take years to make up. We see good numbers of women the workforce at a young age and if we can keep them working and progressing through this phase then we have a much greater chance of them fulfilling their potential.

Stereotypically men are better at switching off and still play a much smaller role in family life so managing wellbeing of women work becomes even more.

What do you do to maintain balance and stay resilient?

For me exercise is a great release and those natural endorphins always focus on to the positive. As much as we would love to change things overnight, the truth is we need to keep taking small steps – one person taking a giant leap is nothing in comparison to us all taking a tiny step.

And lastly, what brings you joy?

Seeing a child do something for the first time and the sense of achievement and awe they have at what they can achieve. The other thing for me is ‘team’, I love team sports and there’s a great read across into the working world. If you’ve not read it, I would recommend Kate and Helen Richardson-Walsh’s book on what it took to win an Olympic gold as a team. Take a little time out to be inspired! https://www.becreateinspire.com/winning-together.