in

“As an everywoman Partner RBS were delighted to be invited to this truly inclusive event. The speakers and panel members were so genuine and the quiz really

highlighted the differences between male and female perceptions. The inclusion of research and theory

was insightful and added real impact. This event was well thought out, provided great entertainment but

delivered an all-important serious message.”

GENDER INTELLIGENCE

LATESTTHINKINGHello

Welcome to Update.

For 15 years, we have been working with an array of blue chip organisations, both national and global, who are committed to gender diversity and understand the business advantages of a diverse workforce. Advancing women in business and providing real value to our Partners, are both our passion and focus.

That’s why each quarter, we will share our Partner’s views and activity, the latest thinking around gender diversity, what’s happening at everywoman and thought provoking articles.

We hope you enjoy this inaugural edition.

Karen and Max

Well we discovered all this and more, at our International Women’s Day Celebration with our Partners Sky.

Our live studio audience, made up of representatives from our Corporate Partners, and an online global audience of thousands were treated to keynote speaker Kelly Hoppen MBE, who illustrated how her female approach has helped her apply her ideas effectively.

An entertaining Gender Intelligence quiz followed, demonstrating just how the gender communication gap can throw up hilarious differences in attitude and outcomes. Host Ben Shephard and the panel including Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes, everywomanClub members and everywoman Partners, set the scene before Gender Intelligence Specialist Collette Dunkley took to the stage and ran us through more serious, scientific gender intelligence facts.

SCIENCE OF COMMUNICATION

Our Partners Event for International Women’s Day was amazing and inspiring! Working at your desk, meeting with clients, discussing projects with your staff, negotiating terms with your suppliers, have you ever thought…between men and women… Who has the biggest brain? Who uses the most words in a day? Or maybe in your strategy meetings you wonder why, and how do you build a strong and a diverse team?

To round off the day, Simon Fanshawe OBE, shared his views on how to build a great diverse team. You can watch the video here in four parts www.everywoman.com/videoand take a look at the feedback on twitter @everywomanUK #ewskyIWD

If you would like to find out more about our Gender Intelligence workshops please contact kate@everywoman.com or call Kate Farrow on 0207 981 2574.

1. Vodafone offices watch while their women’s network celebrates its 1st birthday

2. EMC offices in Brentford, Camden, Bracknell and Dublin tuned in and celebrated

3. Marc Reace-Coles and Lucy Brooker from RBS Focused Women’s Network at the live event

*Photos taken from Twitter.

Marc Reace-Coles Focused Women’s Network Co-ordinator, RBS

1 2 3

WHAT’SNEW

Not only do men and women think and behave differently, it is a well-known fact that everyone learns differently. Some prefer to read offline, some work better online. Some of us are more receptive when we are listening, others when watching. And of course we all want the choice.

As a Partner that choice is crucial to the access and uptake of your member’s engagement with all aspects of corporate membership. That’s why the new everywomanNetwork is accessible whenever you need it, however you need it and wherever you need it. In the words of one member ‘Whether you have 20 minutes or an hour you can choose how you want to learn.’ So just what have we done in our evolution?

You and your members can chart personal progress, keep up-to-date with the latest news from the Network and access exclusive member workbooks, articles, videos and events. And, very soon corporate members will be able to keep up with their company news.

everywoman.com’s evolution began 6 months ago and after a great deal of pain and excitement we have a brand new website.

Our Webinars are growing and growing in popularity, so we have created a webinar calendar and library where members can view our monthly topics, find out more and register to secure their place. They will also find, recordings of past webinars.

The online and PDF version, Workbooks cover all they

need to support their personal development and drive their ambition. They can also find popular workbooks recommended by fellow members.

There’s more…a lot more! The Blog is the place to share opinions and observations with thousands of Network members. Or the Articles section is full of personal development

insight, interviews with role models and thought leadership from experts. Videos tab is a growing library of practical advice from successful and influential women in business. Plus, access to live footage from Network events.

Members can bookmark and read articles or watch later

(or again). Very soon we will be launching a corporate dashboard where Partners can upload content and chart the progress of their members.

Let us know what you think and if you’re not a corporate member contact Kate@everywoman.com to find out more.

Professor Collinson BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD on the vulnerability of uber-positive and excessively optimistic leaders.

PRO

ZAC

LEAD

ERSH

IP

Good news: you don’t have to be positive all the time. In fact excessive positivity can - and has - led to catastrophic errors.

That’s the view of Professor David Collinson, of Lancaster University Management School. Collinson has dubbed the kind of uber-positive, excessively-optimistic attitude associated with free market economies ‘Prozac Leadership’.

Collinson explains: “A positive outlook in life and business can be empowering and enable leaders to inspire their teams. But an excess of positivity and optimism can be damaging. Positivity can come to resemble an addictive drug that frequently militates against critical reflection.” It’s a proposition he sets out in his paper, Prozac

Leadership and the Limits of Positive Thinking.

Excessively positive leaders are not only over-optimistic themselves - they also demand constant positivity in their followers. They often refuse to heed cautionary voices and alternative views, effectively silencing criticism, which leads to a culture of excessive risk taking.

“Much of what I wrote in my paper is a critique of a dominant masculine way of thinking and behaving,” says Collinson. “For some men, excessive risk-taking and bravado are central to the identity they wish to project both as men and as male leaders.”

But are women leaders prone to Prozac leadership too? Yes, says Collinson. While women may have the potential for critiquing the excessive positivism (and

hubris) of some male leaders, he points out that women who emulate the masculine leadership style could fall prey to Prozac leadership and the lack of caution it involves. Similarly, some women leaders may seek to suppress dissent and ensure that messages stay positive at all times.

How do you recognise it in yourself - and if you do, how can you counteract it? Reflect carefully on your leadership style as Prozac tendencies can be hard to spot in yourself. Ask yourself if you consult regularly with your staff, and whether you seek out negative as well as positive feedback. Do you fail to consult anyone whom you suspect may not agree with you? Are you prone to take lightly-considered decisions on the hoof?

If you suspect you may be a victim of Prozac leadership - or even if it has not yet

got you in its grip - you can guard against it by developing your critical thinking. “Explore the leadership dilemmas you face - research the issues, seek the opinions of a variety of people, not just those you know will agree with you,” says Collinson.

Do not blindly accept what your subordinates tell you. Many may be simply saying what, they think, you want to hear. “It’s tempting to accept the positive reports they bring to you, especially when you are very busy, because believing that everything is going well means you do not have to spend time on doing something about it,” says Collinson. “If you feel there may be any cause for

concern, dig a bit deeper to find out what is really going on.”

Think about the underlying risk that Prozac leaders face. They may appear to be very powerful, because of their positive style and on-the hoof decision-making, but Collinson believes they are in fact putting themselves at risk by operating in ignorance of the true situation. He says: “The more of a Prozac leader you are, the more vulnerable you are. You will be much safer if you break the Prozac leadership habit.”

This is an abridged version, you can read the full article at www.everywoman.com/articles

LEADERSHIP ACADEMIES

everywoman’s Leadership academies, are indispensable events for your female middle managers. In addition to Personal Development, the DNA that runs through all of our activities, these one day events feature:

• Keynote Address with a leading female figure

• Dynamic Panel of Award Winning Women

• Masterclasses hosted by experts in women’s development

• Peer-to-Peer networking and the opportunity to network with role models

Delegate packages include ten places as well as profile on the day and in PR and media campaigns and many of our Partners invite clients and employees to share the day, demonstrating their organisation’s commitment to developing future female leaders.

To find out more contact your Partnership account manager or events@everywoman.com

AWARDSOur partners Specsavers are the headline supporter of the everywoman in Retail Ambassador programme. This high profile programme celebrates role models working in retail and you can position your company as one that places importance on recognising female talent by sponsoring. Contact events@everywoman.com to find out more.

Following over 15 years of running highly acclaimed events, we are delighted to have been chosen as the delivery partner of the inaugural 2014 Black British Business Awards. This is the only premium Awards programme that celebrates exceptional performance and outstanding achievements of black people in British business. To find out more go to www.thebbbawards.com

Our events deliver benefit after benefit. Personal development for the individual in the workplace and in your market place plus awareness, engagement and acknowledgement with your clients.

EVENTS

To view all of our events go to www.everywoman.com/calendar

26 June 2014everywoman in Transport and Logistics Leadership Academy

9 September 2014everywoman in Energy Leadership Academy

Contact everywoman. 020 7981 2574 | Visit. www.everywoman.com

Join our growing list of everywomanNetwork corporate partners including