Together with other male colleagues, I recently attended a Female Entrepreneurs’ Breakfast at C.Hoare & Co, the oldest privately-owned bank in the UK.
The bank has an excellent initiative to bring together its customers and invited guests for question and answer panel discussions on a whole host of topics. Such educational platforms naturally facilitate networking, are brilliant ways to introduce like-minded people and provoke creative thinking. This event was focused on the correlation between success in the worlds of sport and business.
Anne Filkins, Relationship Manager at the bank and devoted Saracens fan, had assembled a panel of remarkable women.
Crista Cullen, MBE, Gold Medalist for her part in the victory of the women’s hockey team at Rio 2016 and, together with her own business consultancy, Crista founded the Tofauti Foundation – a charity established to make a difference to the ecosystems, people and wildlife in Africa.
Karen Findlay, who represented Scotland in the women’s national rugby union team, is the Harlequins Ladies Rugby Coach and also Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police.
Claire Rafferty, World Cup Bronze Medalist, currently playing for West Ham Women and an Analyst at Deutsche Bank.
Lessons from the field
There was a tangible value in the lessons learnt on the field and how they could promote success in the workplace and our lives. To achieve success in a team sport you need trust and cohesion – you need to know what each other is thinking as a sixth sense – to anticipate moves, have faith in the direction you are taken and, both literally and metaphorically, catch whatever is thrown at you. It seems obvious that this training is intrinsic to a sports team, but why not in the teams we work with as well?
This approach reconfirmed, my own value system and mission at The Orange Side. It doesn’t happen overnight, it takes time. But investing time in yourself or your team can reap huge rewards and success.
Overcoming challenges
The women discussed challenges they had faced, specifically related to their gender and how they had overcome them. Within their sporting lives, aspects that were a given for the men’s team but not for the women’s. Not just related to the financial compensation but some seemingly basic functions of a training regime. There is still a sense that women need to be grateful for what they are given. However, as with any instance of effecting change, it takes a few people brave enough to stick their head above the parapet and question the situation. As I have said before, this is not about who can shout the loudest. Considered preparation and thoughtful presentation is still effective advocacy. It is important to empower individuals to progress the collective success of the team.
One point that was crystal clear in the crossover between changing room to boardroom is that you need to get buy-in from leaders and for them to lead by example.
We need everyone at the table for change
Before any naysayers sidle up to the pulpit, this was not a women-only event. Far from it. As we all assembled and started to meet over coffee, there was a clear feeling that whilst we were there to celebrate and learn from the experiences of women, it is crucial in our time for men to be part of the conversation. The rise of equality does not happen by keeping men out. For one reason or another, I have recently spent time, or in discussion with, Generation Z, that section of society so intriguing to marketeers. What is so apparent to me and in fact so encouraging, is their commitment to inclusion. They wear it like a badge of honour. Any other labels are a thing of the past where they are concerned.
Elite athletes are fine-tuned machines but what truly sets them apart is their mindset. There is little wonder then that there is a rise of sports stars in business and clearly valuable lessons to be learnt for the morning huddle and beyond.
Very best,
Natalie
P.S Sometimes we just need simple boost to get back on track. The Friday Orange is my weekly email with 3 thoughts to amplify your purpose and performance. Sign up to The Friday Orange.
PP.S If you liked this and would like help to make a change in an area of your life then drop me a line. I would love to talk to you.
