Bidvest Noonan

A market leading provider of facilities services and solutions

Women in Leadership

Louise Bangee – Leadership lessons that helped her forge a successful career

What are some traits you think great leaders possess? And what do women leaders bring that is unique? 

Being a great leader is about leading with integrity to deliver a vision that everyone can understand and play a part in. This vision has to be clearly communicated and delegated whilst showing empathy, courage, and respect.

I believe anyone can develop the traits needed to be a great leader. However, I think some are more prevalent in women. These include empathy, humility, and resilience. Apparently, we are also really good at multi-tasking.

Why is it so important that women have leadership positions? 

Female leaders can be amazing role models for women at all levels. They show others that success can be possible and how it can be achieved. Most importantly they show what difference a woman can make in a leadership position and that there are no barriers that cannot be overcome.

Women from different backgrounds bring different perspectives and can add multiple dimensions to the thought process and decision-making.

Which woman has inspired you the most and why? 

As a Mancunian, I think of Emmeline Pankhurst and what she did for women in such a fearless and brave manner, which reflected how passionately she felt about the right to vote and fighting for women’s rights.

More recently I have been inspired by Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand. She is a great example of success because of how she has handled the responsibilities of her role, the pandemic, and being a new mother all whilst being true to who she is – not an easy job to do in this scenario!

How have you developed your confidence as a leader? 

I once believed that I needed to know everything about everything to do my job well.

I learnt that I don’t need to know everything I just need to know who to ask and what questions to ask! I believe that was a turning point not only for my confidence as a leader but also in my style of leadership.

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

Decide for you what makes a great leader and what doesn’t. It will help you grow your own style.

Understand the difference between managing and leading.

Be brave to take the next steps and remember – it’s ok to make mistakes along the journey – just make new ones each time.

Janice Brannigan – Female leadership

Janice Brannigan is the Managing Director of Facilities Solutions at Bidvest Noonan. Janice has had a transformative impact as a leader in our business. In the run-up to International Women’s Day, we asked her to share her view on the importance of female leadership.

Louise Farrell – The importance of diversity in leadership roles

What defines a great leader and what do women leaders bring that is unique? 

I think great leaders need vision, integrity, self-awareness, and the ability to ensure everyone in a room has their voice heard within a constructive and safe space.

Good leadership is not gender-specific, but having a diverse leadership team brings different perspectives to the table. This, in turn, drives innovation and more effective solutions.

Why is it so important that women have leadership positions? 

It is proven that companies with greater gender equality at a senior level perform better. However, the fact is that diversity in leadership roles allows for people to be seen and thereby be role models for others. 

I think female leaders can be seen as powerful allies and champions by other women at all levels. To be the first or to be in the minority of anything can be difficult. Those first voices can always help ease the way for others, and areas that may have been difficult initially become less so.

How do you think women in leadership can drive important changes in the workplace?  

Sometimes there are assumptions made about women in the workplace. It can be assumed that some, due to circumstances, may not have a willingness to take on challenging assignments or travel. As a parent to two young children, I embrace the opportunity to demonstrate that a flexible company approach allows me to be open to any opportunities that may be presented.

Which woman has inspired you the most and why? 

That is easy, my own mother. She is a lady who will do what needs to be done to achieve an end goal. She sees the world through a lens of honesty, integrity, and empathy, who always knows both how and when to empower people in order to give them the confidence to achieve their goals. 

How have you developed your confidence as a leader? 

Once I have realised that very few people are 100% confident and that some are just better at hiding it, that made it easier! Everyone second guesses themselves at some stage, it’s human nature. 

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

Just go for it, and remember there is never a perfect time for anyone. Although I do recognise that there may be times that are less perfect than others! 

Also, never underestimate how valuable it is to ask or offer other people advice or support. I have been lucky in this regard, and hope that I can repay that for anyone who may want it.

Janice Knight – How to develop confidence as a leader

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

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

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.