Balance for the Better

On the even of IWD tomorrow, I’ve been thinking about where we’re at in Canada and globally with our goal of forging a more gender-balanced world. I have been in the workforce for over 30 years and on this day I reflect on where things are at. As the CEO of a national organization, community leader and mother, there is a deep sense of responsibility to do my part to share and to support. What exactly does that look like? How does that show up, every day?

Our core values come alive with our daily decisions. What are the small wins we are celebrating each day that move us towards greater balance in our organizations?

A few things that I try to integrate into how I go about doing what I do:

• Generating balance in our teams is a natural result of a deeply embedded inclusive culture. It’s a lens we look through every day, in every action and decision. It makes sense to have multiple perspectives around any decision making table and so I try to seek it out. 

• Cultivating a state of equilibrium begins with me. Who am I appreciating today, and how am I expressing that? Am I making sure that recognition happens inclusively and in a way that is meaningful to the person receiving it, am I checking my biases as I look at performance. Sometimes I get this right and sometimes wrong, but I am trying. 

• Long-term gender-balance is deeply rooted in respect. It sounds so basic, but am I giving the type of respect that I am looking to receive in my daily interactions?

• A true indication of respect is holding space, demonstrated by active listening, making room for other’s voices, and encouraging their valued contribution into the greater conversation. Sometimes this feels like it takes longer to do things but if done effectively, better decisions and outcomes emerge that accelerate performance. 

If we break it right down to daily doable wins, BalanceforBetter becomes part of our leadership DNA.