Bidvest Noonan

A market leading provider of facilities services and solutions

Popular

Janice Knight – How to develop confidence as a leader

by

What are some traits you think great leaders possess?

For me, I admire a person that is decisive and works with great integrity, a leader that has humility. Someone that can inspire others to make a difference and has unwavering resilience.

Which woman has inspired you the most and why?

My Sister Patricia, older by 4 years. I always looked up to and adored my sister, she was my biggest supporter and my toughest critic, always there to guide and mentor me. She most certainly kept my feet on the ground and was brilliant at helping me tease out any difficult decision. She was in banking for most of her life and had such a unique way of connecting with people. Later in her life, she took a risk, which paid off, and swapped banking for a life in the music industry, unsurprisingly she excelled there too. She had a can-do attitude that was infectious and had the unique ability to make people feel that they were capable of everything, she passed away from Ovarian Cancer in June 2017 at the age of 45.

How have you developed your confidence as a leader?

My passion is people, supporting and ensuring people feel connected to purpose, that they are enabled to do their job successfully and bring their best every day.

I have always felt this and believed this is what makes a difference. From my first role as a team leader to my role now as a Director, these values remain for me and I am dedicated to enhancing my team so that they feel that connection.

Confidence grows over time and with experiencing disappointments and failures. I have these experiences on occasion and I have grown from them. It’s tough, and its stings but it’s key to your own development. 

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions?

Do not feel you need to be everything to everyone, understand your strengths and play to them. If you are a natural ideas person, be that. Equally, if you are better at analysing the idea once presented, then do that. There is space for everyone at the table, once you have that realisation your confidence grows as does your contribution.

Naomi Austen – Lessons for aspiring leaders

by

In your opinion, what are the characteristics of a great leader?

A great leader is someone who has integrity, is professional, and inspirational. They promote balance, focus on others, are able to plan and lead. For me, a leader needs to show empathy, be open, and listen to other people’s ideas, I see that as a strength. A great leader delegates, praises, and empowers others. I think they should have an element of fun about them too.

Women leaders bring balance and look at things holistically and encompass the work/life balance into the delivery of what is required.

Why is it so important that women have leadership positions?

It is important to have a mixture of genders in leadership positions. Regardless of what gender you are, you add a value that no one else can bring. You bring yourself, your individual traits, which is what makes you a great leader. For me, it is vital to have balance in leadership, creating empowerment for those around you. Showing confidence and giving credit to others’ abilities. There is still a lack of women in leadership roles and we want to ensure that we are showing the next generation of women what opportunities can be afforded to them, with the right pathways.

How do you think female leaders can be seen as powerful allies and champions by other women at all levels?

I think if I told my 15-year-old self that other girls/women would be powerful allies, I may have been cynical! However, as I have grown up and progressed in my career, I have truly found this in abundance. This is about creating a good and positive network of people around you, people that can mentor you, guide you, you can learn from, and they can learn from you. You just have to be yourself and embrace those around you. Rid yourself of negative people.

Which woman has inspired you the most and why? 

I have three. My first HR line manager, a lady called Mandy Fitzmaurice. We still speak now, and often, and if I am in a situation where I am unsure of something, I quite often ask myself what Mandy would do. Mandy was the best line manager, she gave me confidence, opportunities, and helped my growth. I admire Michelle Obama and Jacinda Ardern. Both women have shown amazing empowerment and leadership skills. They use their positions for good causes, to highlight the challenges around the world, and help create and promote solutions and opportunities. Both are never afraid of speaking up about wrongdoings.

How have you developed your confidence as a leader?

I’ve been myself, which is critical. I can be fierce, loyal, but also empathetic. I truly believe that everyone has a place and with the right managers and leaders, everyone is capable of great things. My confidence has come from having great line managers, the opportunities afforded to me, and also from making mistakes. We all make mistakes, and when we do, we learn and do it differently next time. The transition from Manager to Leader is integral. One of the main things I have kept is a sense of humour!

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions?

Have a route (it’s ok to take the scenic route!), know your goals, but mostly be yourself. Find a mentor outside your organisation and learn, listen, and understand. Don’t be afraid of anything, have confidence.

Cornelia Olivier on what makes female leaders unique

by

What are some of the traits that leader possesses?

I have been fortunate to work with strong leaders throughout my career. There are a few things that strong leaders seem to have in common: they know their strengths, they keep learning, they look to work with people who are different from them, and they work hard at honing their technical and soft skills.

What do women leaders bring that is unique?

I think women leaders bring different perspectives. Women are well represented in our societies, in our customer bases, and our workplaces. Building empathy as an organisation with the traits and needs of that group is valuable. Our perspective as women leaders equips us to formulate solutions that can benefit our teams and our communities more holistically.

In your work situation, it is often women leaders that become your biggest allies. They are often the first to recognise that you are putting in the effort and loving what you do. Determine who your allies might be and start working out how you can earn more of their trust.

Which woman has inspired you the most?

When I was very young, I had a friend whose mother was a small business owner. This lady loved her job! She worked long hard hours, sometimes late into the evening. She sourced meals from people that cooked better than she did. She devised ways to do mundane tasks faster. Watching her showed me that the boundaries we experience are often self-imposed. She taught me that it is okay, in fact it is great, to delegate tasks that you’re not good at to people who can do them well. She taught me that you can be successful in your career while still loving your family. She said you can have it all but takes hard work to achieve it. She also taught me that, in some ways, women have more choices than men do. I always try to remember these when I want to retain strong female colleagues! She made such an enormous impact on me as a little girl and has helped me become the leader I am today

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions?

From my experience, leadership is a journey rather than a destination. You have to keep working at your technical and soft skills, stretching your abilities, and practicing your humility by doing new things and feeling uncomfortable every so often. Get used to making mistakes and apologising sincerely. Invest in relationships at all levels. Most of all, find joy in your job, it makes you an easier leader to follow.

Chiara Di Rienzo on women in leadership

by

In your opinion, what defines a great leader? 

If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic taught us is that great leaders, in work and life, are courageous enough to show vulnerability and lead with empathy and compassion. 

Great leadership in my opinion is also the ability to create a meaningful and inspiring culture that connects people to the brand and purpose; a culture where people are supported to be their best, and achieve outstanding business results in a consistent way. 

What are some traits you think great leaders possess? 

I think that some of the traits that great leaders possess are integrity, a sense of purpose, a clear vision, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. 

Why is it so important that women have leadership positions? 

Research shows that the more diverse and inclusive the culture of an organisation, the better its business results are. 

Our society undoubtedly needs many more women in top leadership roles to help drive important changes in the workplace that can be beneficial for both men and women. Our society is not there yet and much more work is needed to get more women into leadership roles, to bridge the gender pay gap, and enhance work-life balance. It is not just about gender, we need diversity and inclusivity at the top in both government posts and C-suite roles. We also need to engage in tough conversations about what the future of the workplace should look like and what changes we want to see.

Which woman has inspired you the most and why?  

I have been inspired by so many women at different times in my life.

I find Carol Dweck’s research on fixed mindset (abilities are fixed) and growth mindset (abilities can be developed) incredibly empowering. I remember reading an article about it eight years ago in the Harvard Business Review and using it over and over again when leading resilience and leadership training. Her work inspired my drive for continuous improvement through learning and development.

Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability is also incredibly powerful. What she says about vulnerability has pretty much become my mantra: “vulnerability is not knowing victory or defeat; it’s understanding the necessity of both; it’s engaging. It’s being all in”.

How have you developed your confidence as a leader? 

My journey towards confident leadership started when I realised that confidence means courage; the courage to learn from my mistakes, the courage to do something completely new and out of my comfort zone (“feeling the fear and do it anyway” what a great book by Susan Jeffers!) and the courage of putting myself out there. For me, confidence is a muscle that I have to exercise regularly!  

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions? 

I would give them the same advice I would give to myself which is: be yourself, stay truthful to who you are and the things that make you unique and distinctive. Take ownership of your own development and invest energy in building meaningful relationships with people. Focus on your strengths, the things that you love doing, and that energise you. Ultimately those are the things that will make you feel fulfilled and at your best from a work and personal life standpoint. 

Emma Rahim – How female leaders can transform the workplace

by

It’s time for change and women in positions of power can give voices to those without.

In your opinion, what defines a great leader? What do you think is unique about female leaders?

For me, one of the fundamentals of being a great leader is being true to yourself. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, be you, and lead by your values. Build integrity and credibility by always striving to do the right thing. A great leader should be open and honest and have respect and understanding for others.

The ability to listen and learn is important. Work on the basis that you may not have all the answers but as a team, you will collectively find the answers together. Having a clear vision of what you want and following through is what sets leaders apart.

Female leaders are strong, powerful, and driven. We address the elephant in the room and confidently challenge stereotypes. For us, it’s not about competition and tearing each other down but it’s about universally lifting us up so we can bring out the best in each other. 

As a female leader, I believe that my humility and tenderness bring out the best in people.  I also believe that my astuteness, drive, and passion can help develop others to become future leaders. I strongly believe there’s a place for everyone at the table and success is a group effort.

Why is it so important that women have leadership positions?

It is vital we leave a legacy for years to come, that women can achieve at least as much as our male counterparts. We need to continue creating a culture that normalises growth for women in business. Supporting each other on this journey is incredibly important. We need to praise each other for our individual expertise and what we bring to the table.

As a woman in a leadership role myself, I feel passionate about creating an equal playing field when it comes to career progression and equal opportunities. Women in leadership roles can use ‘their powers for good’ by driving fair and transparent practices and challenging the status quo.  It’s time for change and women in positions of power can give voices to those without.

Who has inspired you the most and why?

I’m proud to say it’s my mum! She came to England in 1979 not speaking a word of English.  She taught herself English and secured employment and started earning her own money. During this time, she experienced many forms of discrimination including the colour of her skin, ethnicity, and gender. However, she continued to strive to achieve. From an early age, my mum always instilled in me that if you wanted something, you had to go out and work for it.

What advice do you have for aspiring women aiming for leadership positions?

You are the key to your own success! The only person that can stop you from succeeding is yourself.  Forget any stereotypes or expectations the world has of you. If you want something strong enough, don’t let anything stop you, and make sure you go for it. Work hard, show your worth, and reap the results – the sky is the limit.

Jonny Kempster – From the Parachute Regiment to Key Account Director

by

“Thinking about others, holding out your hand to help and not judge them is a duty we owe to everyone. Putting others first doesn’t put you second. It just means you care, and hopefully, someone will care for you in the same way if you ever need it.”

How did your experience in the military help you to build a strong career in the security sector?

A career in the security industry is a fairly natural and, I think, pretty common route for ex-forces personnel. You can look at the army as a corporation with a clear mission. To fulfil its mission, it needs the right people in the right place and for all of them to understand what is expected of them and make sure they are properly trained to do it.

I joined the army as a boy soldier at 16 and became a ‘junior leader’, basically training for potential non-commissioned officers – sergeants and the like. I enjoyed myyears in the army and ended my time there as a sergeant in 7th Parachute Regiment RHA. The skills you learn doing any kind of leadership in the army are the same as managing people in civilian life.

The real difference between the army and a civilian organisation is that you tell people what to do in the army, and they have to do it. That doesn’t happen in the civilian world in the same way, and you need to take people with you. But common to both is explaining the job or mission and making sure your people are equipped to be able to do it properly. 

We understand you are very active in sport. How has this helped you in your role?

I am a member of the 100 Marathon Club with 149 marathons or ultra-marathons under my belt, and I’m out cycling 100 to 200 plus kms most weekends.

Sport allows me to clear my head and think through issues away from constant messages. The time away lets me think about how to achieve our goals. Obviously, I’m a bit competitive, and I like to achieve challenging and difficult things. That’s an attitude I bring to my work, too. 

Many of your colleagues would call you creative. Is creativity important to you?

Thank you, that’s very flattering. One of the things I like about this work is solving what are often quite complicated problems that involve a fair few stakeholders who can often have different aims and opinions.

Being what you call creative is thinking about what we are trying to achieve and what our clients are also trying to accomplish and making sure they go hand in hand. If you can understand what your client or stakeholder wants to get out of something, you can then have a constructive chat about it. Sometimes clients need help to identify what they need most, so thinking creatively about it really helps.

You have recently completed a course in mental health. What prompted you to seek this qualification, and why do you value it?

We live in a world where admitting to weakness, particularly emotional weakness, can be very tough. The pandemic and the isolation and dislocation it has caused is making this even tougher for some people. Making sure our mental health, as well as our physical health, is properly looked after is so important.

Thinking about others, holding out your hand to help and not judge them is a duty we owe to everyone. Putting others first doesn’t put you second. It just means you care, and hopefully, someone will care for you in the same way if you ever need it.

You are very approachable and personable. Does this help you in your role?

Does that mean I talk too much sometimes? I like being with people and understanding more about them. I wouldn’t want to live in a world where everyone is the same. Listening, as well as talking, is a skill we all develop with experience.

Managers need to be approachable, reasonable and ready to listen. Otherwise, how will you find out what is going on and identify potential issues before they become a problem? It also lets you coach and help your staff. It also gives me great pleasure and pride in my work.