Isabelle Demaude’s Post

I did not want to pass this lightly as it is simply eye opening. Such an amazing report from McKinsey & Company, shedding a lot of light on women in the workplace from glass ceiling to, broken rung, from being exposed to micro-aggressions to coming to a point of giving up due to becoming a minority in senior management. The debate is - should women need to change and become who 'they are not' to get accepted and progress in their careers OR should male colleagues, leaders, sponsors, mentors influence the gate keepers to get a different perspective and help them to break their unconscious biases to encourage the courageous, ambitious, confident women to develop, grow and advance in their careers. I personally believe that there is a lot to do like creating a safe space for the female high potential workforce with positive reinforcement, sponsorship and coaching so that they can keep up. I would like to leave this to your judgement after reading the report and encountering the 'say' and the 'do' gaps. Myths vs. realities Myth: Women are becoming less ambitious Reality: Women are more ambitious than before the pandemic—and flexibility is fueling that ambition Myth: Microaggressions have a ‘micro’ impact Reality: Microaggressions have a large and lasting impact on women Myth: The biggest barrier to women’s advancement is the ‘glass ceiling’ Reality: The ‘broken rung’ is the greatest obstacle women face on the path to senior leadership

It’s easy to look at women in executive positions and see nothing but success. But behind that facade, many are struggling with self-worth, questioning their abilities, and pushing themselves to the point of burnout. It's no longer acceptable for this to simply be the consequence for women in business. Somatic practices and nervous system regulation can shift this narrative. In my experience, by reconnecting with the body, these women can lead with authenticity and ease, find peace in the present, set boundaries and achieve meaningful goals created from their heart axis rather than constantly striving for external validation. #ExecutiveWomen #NervousSystemHealth #SomaticLeadership #AuthenticityInLeadership

It's well known that women are incredible! 💡 On this International Women's Day, we'd like to highlight some fascinating health facts about women: 🧠 Brainpower  Women's brains are different! Research shows that women have a unique brain structure that allows them to excel in areas such as empathy, intuition, and multitasking. This unique brain structure contributes to women's ability to navigate complex social dynamics and excel in leadership roles. 💼 Emotional Intelligence  As suggested in the previous point, women often exhibit higher levels of emotional intelligence, allowing them to effectively manage relationships, communicate empathetically, and navigate challenging situations with grace and resilience. Leaders like Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO, and Oprah Winfrey, media mogul, exemplify these qualities, inspiring others with their leadership and resilience. 💪 Resilience  Despite old perceptions, women have remarkable physical resilience. They endure pain, recover quickly from injuries, and often surpass expectations in physical challenges. This resilience extends beyond physical, in the face of adversity, overcoming challenges ranging from gender discrimination to personal tragedy. A woman's ability to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to change, and persevere in pursuit of their goals is nothing short of inspiring. Which women inspire you? Happy International Women's Day! 🌸💼 #internationalwomensday #resilience #leadership #emotionalintelligence #leadership #brain #drzeltser

Women express  less ambition, or less confidence and it often comes from negative experiences and messages they have had across their lives. Women’s expression of confidence or ambition is often met with negative judgments and biased messages that they are being too “self-promoting,” even selfish, and that it’s off-putting for a woman to not be in a nurturing role. Over time, they learn to lessen their expression of ambition and instead focus on the behaviors that are enforced by societal norms: supporting others to succeed often at the sacrifice of their personal goals. Thus, initial ambition can easily turn into hesitation and uncertainty when you aren’t sure you will succeed in an environment not set up to bring out your best. What can organisations do to retain women and offer opportunities for their growth? 💫 Effective sponsorship and mentorship are crucial for women's leadership journeys. Sponsorship, in particular, which involves advocacy and promotion, can have a transformative impact when built on authentic relationships. 💫 Understanding the diverse motivators for leadership roles is crucial for companies aiming to recruit and retain successful women, especially those with additional marginalized identities. This includes getting to know the top performers and aligning leadership roles with their personal interests, values, strengths, and leadership styles. 💫 Adjusting the recruitment language can increase the chance that a position description aligns with someone’s personal values or what drives them, so they can see themselves in that kind of role. 💫 Support parenting and provide equal parenting at work. 💫 Proactively measure and plan for advancing women in leadership including creating supportive re-entry programs. 💫 Increase mental health awareness and support especially for women, increase awareness, remove the stigma and prioritize employees's quality of life. 💫 Start offering programs that acknowledge that leadership is a social identity as much as gender, race, age, and other demographics in how we perceive and evaluate them. 💫 Most women have mulitiple competing demands at work and at home as a result of the constant emotional support they provide. This makes them more efficient and effective and they must be rewarded for this efficiency and effectiveness by evaluating their outcomes and engagement rather than by how much time they spend at their work space. #womenleaders #genderequity #coachingforsuccess #leadershipdevelopment #womeninleadership

Hi to all POWERFUL WOMEN, Women have indeed come a long way, breaking through societal barriers like lack of education, harassment, and gender discrimination. Today, they not only share equal roles in building happy homes but also lead fulfilling careers. Financial independence has empowered women, giving them the confidence to make strong decisions, challenge outdated norms, and assert their place in the world. This progress isn't just about individual success—women now stand as pillars of national development, driving economic and social growth. A few qualities truly set women apart in their journey toward empowerment: 💥PATIENCE Women have mastered the art of balancing multiple roles—whether in the home or workplace—while remaining calm and composed, even in challenging situations. 💥 HUMILITY Despite their growing achievements, many women remain grounded, understanding the value of cooperation and teamwork. 💥 LOVE Their innate compassion and empathy enable women to foster meaningful relationships, making them both nurturing and strong. 💥 RESPONSIBILITY Women are natural multitaskers who take their commitments seriously, be it managing family affairs or leading professional projects with diligence. 💥 LEADERSHIP Women have emerged as capable leaders who guide others with vision and empathy, inspiring not just action but transformation. As women continue to advance, their unique blend of qualities helps them rise above narrow thinking, making them a driving force behind personal and national progress. Today’s empowered women are not just contributors but key architects of a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous society. Note: If you resonate with this leave your views and thoughts . #womenempowerment #womengoals

Still celebrating International Women's Day. One of the major challenges prevalent in women in the corporate world is the Imposter Syndrome. The feeling of inadequacy, or self-doubt even amongst high achieving women. Imposter syndrome can be a real challenge, but there are steps you can take to manage it and overcome its negative effects. Here are some strategies I believe can help: Acknowledge and Convert: Recognize that self-doubt is common, even among successful people. Convert the negative thoughts into more objective self-assessments. Focus on Evidence: Look for concrete evidence that contradicts your imposter feelings. Past accomplishments, positive feedback, or recognition from others can serve as a reality check. Celebrate Wins: Take the time to acknowledge and celebrate your successes, big or small. This helps build confidence and counteracts the negative self-talk. Focus on Growth: View challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve. Embrace a growth mindset where you see yourself constantly developing your skills. Seek Support: Talk to a trusted friend or mentor. Positive Self-Talk: Challenge negative thoughts and replace them with affirmations that highlight your strengths and abilities. Remember, imposter syndrome doesn't define you.

Studies such as Harvard Business Review’s 'Women in the Workplace' report highlight that supportive relationships among women at work improve job satisfaction by over 25%, with a notable decrease in turnover intentions. The 'Queen Bee' syndrome, where women in leadership positions may distance themselves from or even undermine other women, has been observed in high-stress, competitive fields such as professional services and entrepreneurship. I saw it all the time when I was a lawyer - also had a touch of it myself - both learned and observed behaviour. This behaviour often arises as a result of historically limited opportunities for women in leadership roles and the way society pits us against each other. Research from Catalyst and others (2023) highlights that firms that address 'Queen Bee' dynamics see a significant improvement in teamwork and a 15% increase in promotions among female employees. Basically, when women stop being mean to each other, it's possible for ALL women to succeed. When women support other women, incredible things happen for everyone. Sadly, the Queen Bee narrative is all around us. Many are unaware of it and even more of us feel unable to change it. BUT, we can. You can. You can start by looking out for other women who do support you because they are there. Start by building your own confidence and your own network that looks after you when you're feeling down. A group of women you can go to when you need to talk. Start asking for help and seeing who responds. It only needs to be small. It takes each of us to be brave because it's bravery that brings about change. 2025 is my year to be brave. My eldest daughter has decided that she'd like to be a lawyer. This means that my mission to change the way women support each other within professional services as well as within entrepreneurship now has a more urgent timeline. My vision is to create spaces of safety and support where women engage in meaningful conversations, share their experiences and build lasting relationships because this is how we get what we really need for individual success and how we shift the entire dynamic of the way women treat each other. When we change that, we WILL see more women getting to and remaining in leadership roles. #womeninleadership #womeninlaw #femaleentrepreneurs #womensupportingwomen

Becoming a Self Aware Woman in the 21st Century! Women are striving more than ever to understand themselves deeply, uncover their true purpose, and harness their unique gifts, talents, and abilities. This journey of self-discovery and self-awareness is not just a trend; it’s a powerful movement towards personal empowerment and fulfillment. Self-awareness means understanding your own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It's about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, recognizing your feelings, and understanding how your actions affect others. Why is Self-Awareness Important? 1. Better Decision Making: As a woman, when you know yourself well, you make better choices in life; whether it's in your career, relationships, or personal growth. 2. Confidence Building: Knowing your worth and capabilities boosts your confidence. This helps you take on new challenges and opportunities. 2. Improved Relationships: Women are highly emotional beings and it's not a weakness but rather, it's a strength put in us by God. Understanding your emotions helps you communicate better and build stronger connections with others. 3. Personal Growth: Recognizing your strengths and areas for improvement helps you grow and become the best version of yourself. 3. Effective Leadership: Women are now taking up more leadership roles and this is because they are looking inwards, discovering their strengths and uniqueness and choosing to use it to the greater development of the society. As women push for more self-awareness, breaking barriers and taking on more roles, they are unlocking doors to countless opportunities and redefining what it means to lead a successful and meaningful life. In everything that's happening in the women fold, I hope you are part of the women pushing to become all that they can be. It starts with you becoming self aware. Did you find this post inspiring? SHARE to inspire more women. #womensupportingwomen #women #womenempoweringwomen #greenicefoundation

I'm tired of panels that repeat the same shallow views around International Women's Day. For instance, "Women can't work together" - one of the 'Narratives' that I have described in my book is a myth. And repeating it on #IWD is not helping us, on the contrary - it is holding women back. I work with lots of leadership teams that have difficulties working together. And the truth is, this is a gender neutral and widespread phenomenon. It is difficult working with *people*. Especially if you put a bunch of high performers in a room - maybe even with clashing objectives - you will see people working against each other. There are many more reasons for why it seems like women can't work together. For instance, confirmation bias. When we see two women infighting, we feed it into our existing bias that it is because they are women, rather than *two people* having collaboration issues. Or when a woman gets a senior position because of her gender - as a token woman. It means women's only chance to get a seat at the table is if they work against the other women. Let's not have more panels whose main qualification is that they are female. Base your speeches and panel discussions on facts and research, NOT on anecdotes. Prepare yourself. You don't need a PhD. You can become an expert when you read a dozen research papers. Or do the shortcut. My book is based on research and facts, with new perspectives to help the discussion forward, and helps us to take action. Get it on Amazon or Kinokuniya today. Penguin Random House SEA