I'm angry about how women leaders are disadvantaged

😠 I'm angry...

In the last week or so, I've heard from a number of fellow women leaders, who have been discriminated against due to their gender.

⛔ I've heard from a secondary school teacher who has repeatedly been overlooked for career progression because she is a single mum.

⛔ Another teacher, going through IVF, was offered a job but asked not to start a family in the first year.

⛔ I've heard about women who have been discouraged to apply for jobs, because their line managers would prefer a man - regardless of skillset or experience.

⛔ I've worked with women leaders who put limits upon themselves, due to multiple knocks along the way. This has dented their self-belief so that they don't put themselves forward for opportunities that come along.

And in many cases, it was women leaders, making these discriminatory remarks to other women!

😠 Come on folks, we must do better!

The interactions we have throughout our childhood, and beyond, shape who we believe ourselves to be, and can limit our aspirations and cripple our self-esteem.

For example, my authoritarian, patriarchal father, unwittingly instilled in me a strong sense that men were better than women, and that I should listen and respect all men, regardless of whether they speak sense or not. I still find myself being affected by this upbringing, and it has definitely led me to suppressing my voice at times.

🤔 Are you a women leader and found yourself discriminated against? What impact has this had on your life?