Breaking Barriers: Women in Leadership

International Women’s Day is always a time for reflection, celebration, and renewed commitment to gender equality. This year, I had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking panel discussion at Brighton University on Women in Leadership. The event brought together an inspiring group of women leaders from diverse industries: Sarah Hollinsworth from Barclays, Pippa Moyle from Girl City Network, Mo Kanjilal from Watch this Sp_ce & Amy Oldham from Curious Being. Each had their own journey of overcoming barriers and paving the way for future generations.

The panellists shared valuable insights on the challenges women continue to face in leadership roles and the progress being made toward inclusivity. Here are my key takeaways:

1. Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Women leaders still encounter systemic barriers that limit their advancement in many fields. However, the panellists emphasised the importance of resilience, mentorship, and policy changes that create more equitable workplaces.

2. The Power of Representation

Seeing women in leadership roles encourages the next generation to aspire to those positions. One speaker highlighted the need for visibility, sharing how mentorship and sponsorship have played a crucial role in her career development.

3. Navigating Imposter Syndrome

Many women in leadership positions experience self-doubt despite their qualifications and achievements. The panellists discussed strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, including self-affirmation, seeking support networks, and embracing continuous learning.

4. The Role of Allyship

Men and women alike play a role in advancing gender equality. The panel emphasised that fostering an inclusive culture requires active allyship—whether through advocating for policy changes, calling out biases, or supporting women in their career progression.

5. Work-Life Balance and Well-being

One of the most insightful discussions revolved around the evolving perceptions of work-life balance. The panellists shared personal experiences on managing leadership roles while prioritising well-being, family and the general work-life balance, emphasising that organisations must create flexible, supportive environments for all employees.

The Role of Improv in Leadership and Growth

As I listened to the panellists share their experiences, I was struck by how many of the points they raised aligned with the principles of improvisation. Improv is not just about comedy—it’s a powerful tool that fosters adaptability, confidence, and collaboration, all of which are essential in leadership.

In improv, we learn to embrace uncertainty, think on our feet, and trust our instincts, much like women navigating leadership roles in unpredictable waters. The emphasis on active listening and supporting one another mirrors the need for allyship and mentorship in the workplace. Overcoming imposter syndrome is another area where improv shines, as it helps participants to silence their inner critic and take risks.

It became clear to me that the skills we develop in the improv room—resilience, communication, and mutual support—are some of the same skills needed to break barriers in leadership. Perhaps by incorporating improv principles into professional development, we can empower more women to step into leadership roles with confidence and authenticity.

A Call to Action

Attending this panel reaffirmed the importance of continued efforts towards gender equality. While progress has been made, there’s still work to be done in ensuring that leadership opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of gender. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let’s commit to fostering environments where women can lead, thrive, and inspire future generations.

What are your thoughts on women in leadership? What experiences, positive or challenging, have shaped your perspective?

The skills we develop in the improv room, resilience, communication, and mutual support, are some of the same skills needed to break barriers in leadership. If you are looking to build these exact traits within your own management cohort, explore our specialised corporate workshop, The Improvised Leader Programme, designed to help teams lead with adaptability and authentic presence.

Empower Your Future Leaders

Traditional management training doesn’t teach you how to navigate unpredictable environments or silence your inner critic. Our experiential Improv in the Workplace workshops give women and allies the real-time confidence, status tools, and resilience needed to thrive at the executive level.

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