Supporting women into senior roles

Our video series on women in health and safety leadership features interviews with a range of inspiring women working at the top of the profession.

The three-part series, hosted by IOSH members Carly Hughes CMIOSH and Nishma Mistry, includes advice and tips to help women break through into senior occupational safety and health leadership roles.

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 08 March, we’ve picked out some of the insights from the series that tie in with this year's theme of how to ‘accelerate action’ on gender equality.

Our Vice-President and Chartered Fellow Michelle Stonley has spent all of her career in the traditionally male-dominated construction and engineering sectors.

Michelle picked out the value of acting with integrity, being polite to all and taking an empathetic approach when dealing with other people.

Be yourself

“Just be yourself, be natural and don’t be afraid to challenge as well,” said Michelle. “We all, as females in the industry, have those awkward moments where we don’t know what to do.

“But I would always say if it doesn’t feel right, then it usually isn’t. And you should respectfully, challenge.“

Michelle also highlighted the value of setting clear boundaries early on: “I’m a mum as well, so getting into (construction) sites at certain times... The men can get there for eight (am), but if I’ve got to do a childcare drop somewhere then I’ve got to respectfully say I can't be there at that time.

“It’s actually having the forthrightness to say ‘I can’t do that time’. Don't be frightened or feel like you can’t challenge the status quo and say, ‘I’ve got some other things, would you mind if I come a bit later’.”

Courage

Ria Sooknarine, a member of IOSH Council, picked out empathy as an important quality for safety and health leaders.

Ria said: “I think that leadership and health and safety is about having the courage to step forward, the vision to inspire change, and the commitment to protect and empower others.

“When I think about my journey, moving into leadership was not just about earning a position. It was more about earning trust, demonstrating value and making an impact.

Feedback

Zoe Hayes, Head of Safety and Security Risk at the BBC, said “listening to understand” was a key skill for senior leadership.

Zoe said: “Listen to truly know whatever the business area that you’re supporting, or your colleagues, or feedback. Keep listening, keep asking for feedback... not everyone’s going to be able to provide it, but keep listening and keep reading the room before you speak. Before you dive straight into the thing you want to really get across, just take that moment.”