This was one of the questions that Dr Rebecca Newton, Patrycja Sowa and I asked in our new research on women’s leadership published in the EMCC’s International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching. We spoke to women in leading positions across government, business and charities around the world about what helped them reach and thrive in their roles. From permanent secretaries to CEOs, the messages were clear: back yourself, get the support you need (after big promotions too, not just before) and take time to think.

Doing this research was such an eye-opener for me, despite having my own experience of getting to senior leadership in the civil service and serving as a director of a global company. It was inspiring – and at times a bit horrifying – to hear the stories of what it took for women in so many different contexts to become leaders in their fields. It’s hard to do justice to the full range of insights this work has to offer for all leaders and organisations, not just women themselves. But as we return to our desks after the new year, I thought I would share the wisdom that these women generously shared with me.

Read more at: https://www.civilserviceworld.com/in-depth/article/what-do-senior-women-leaders-wish-they-could-tell-their-younger-selves