Wed 01 Nov 2023
Voice coach Cath Baxter presenting workshop at Women into Leadership Edinburgh 2023
In the halls of Whitehall, history is woven with threads of dedication, determination, and change. Women are increasingly playing an integral role in delivering services, shaping policies, and driving progress, and they come together at Women into Leadership, the conference series that tours the country, raising the visibility of female officials leading the charge toward a better future while offering a safe space for next-generation officials to reflect and gain the skills to take action and ensure gender isn’t a barrier to reaching the very highest echelons of public service.
Throughout history, we have witnessed countless examples of women defying the odds, making the seemingly impossible possible. From Baroness Evelyn Sharp, the first woman to hold the position of Permanent Secretary in 1955, to Nurjahan Khatun, the first visible Muslim woman appointed to a director position last year.
Today, only six of the 17 government departments are run by women — Bernadette Kelly at the Department for Transport (DfT); Antonia Romeo at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ); Sarah Healey at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC); Tamara Finkelstein at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra); Sarah Munby at Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and Susan Acland-Hood at the Department for Education (DfE). Their voices have been part of Women into Leadership, carrying the “yes, you can” message, which still resonates with delegates.
Making its debut at the upcoming events in Manchester (22 November) and Newcastle (30 November), the new breakout and plenary sessions build on their lived experiences and the insight of personal coaches to help you follow their steps to thrive and flourish as a leader. Sessions you don’t want to miss include:
- Having impact from language to body language with Cath Baxter: 75% of our communication is non-verbal, whether online or face-to-face; hence, understanding the critical elements of impactful communication is the first step in mastering your ability to influence others.
- How to negotiate with confidence, another session with Cath to provide you with actions you can implement that can empower you in your negotiations, whether that's a high-value contract, securing resources for your project, or looking to make your work conditions more favourable.
- Writing to impress: an interactive masterclass on selection and promotion with occupational psychologist and former civil servant Richard Hillsdon with real examples and insights into what influences panels and how they will likely read what you write.
Every journey begins with a single step, and for women aspiring to be leaders in the civil service, that step might feel daunting. However, at Women into Leadership, we have learned that the path to leadership is not a solitary one. Countless women have come before us, leaving behind a legacy of courage and determination that serves as a guiding light.
As we gear up for the events in Manchester and Newcastle this month, being part of Women into Leadership means building a future where women dare to dream and refuse to be confined by outdated notions of leadership. To every aspiring female leader, know this: the world is ready for you. Your unique perspective, your unwavering determination, and your boundless potential are precisely what our communities and organisations need to thrive in the 21st century. The future is bright, and it is undoubtedly female. Seize the opportunity, gather your colleagues and rewrite this narrative with the experience you'll gain at Women into Leadership.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Murielle Gonzalez, content strategy manager at Dods Events Diversity & Inclusion, is an experienced journalist and editor. She can be reached at murielle.gonzalez@totalpolitics.com.
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