Women in Business

This week I went to the launch of Bristol and Somerset women in business awards. It was a VIP event and I wanted to make sure I am dressed for the occasion. But as I was leaving the house, there was not much I could do about the snot patches on my clothes from my lovely toddler who was trying to hang on to my leg as if her life depended on it.

A friend told me later that at the feet of every successful business woman is a snot covered toddler. I used to think that at the feet of every successful woman is the world. Now I know my friend is right. The world is nothing compared to the toddler.

After meeting some brilliant and inspiring women at the event, I saw that most of them are juggling children and business. They are leaders both in business and at home. And although the awards recognize the hard work that goes into making motherhood and business work through the Business Mother category, it’s important we recognize that most of the women in other categories will be mothers. Hard working women shaping the business of tomorrow and the new generation. 

And as more and more women emerge as leaders in the business world, perhaps it’s time we start rethinking what it means to be an achiever, a leader, an entrepreneur and a Boardroom person. Does it have to be about the extra hours, the 100% dedication, and no life outside work? Or can it be about care, efficiency, and a well rounded life with work family balance – across genders? The other day I was listening to an interview with the deputy leader of the Labour Party Harriet Harman MP, and she was saying she is not leader of the party because she wanted to have a life outside the party, while leading a party is about full dedication. Many women in business who are striving for the boardroom and committed entrepreneurs probably think the same.

We have to remember that these images of high achievers in business have been shaped by years of patriarchy coupled with win or lose capitalist driven competition. There is little space there for rest, family, and general mental health and well being in these models. As women take center stage in business and politics – perhaps it’s our chance to address this?