I've noticed how recent history is now often pre-fixed with either pre or post pandemic. This is definitely the case when connectivity and networking is discussed with pre-pandemic viewed through the rose-tinted lens that we were better connected then.
But did we really make the time to network and share experiences enough? Or were we always nervous of going into a room of strangers, awkwardly trying to spot a space where we could gently manoeuvre our way in, hoping we looked like we belong? Did the pandemic just give us an excuse to stop?
Of course, life's responsibilities beyond work – children, caring responsibilities, housework – make it easy to let networking slip. But without connections and hearing people's stories, we run the risk of not seeking new opportunities to develop ourselves and support others.
It was with this in mind that I recently facilitated one such opportunity. On 15 November GatenbySanderson brought together a group of current and future female leaders from across the public sector in Yorkshire to celebrate the sculpture Ribbons, created by artist Pippa Hale, recently unveiled in Leeds. Championed by chancellor Rachel Reeves and previous leader of Leeds City Council, Judith Blake, Ribbons incorporates the name of 368 women who have lived and worked in Leeds to address the lack of representation for women and their contribution among the city's many statues. Each name was nominated as part of a public campaign to recognise women who have been a life force for the city, in education, social care, health, the arts, special needs provision, political service and creative work.
It was important to those involved in the project that all women could see themselves represented in the sculpture. Not just women who'd broken glass ceilings, but also women who'd made sacrifices for others. We reflected this in our invites, making sure they were not just extended to women who held leadership roles, but those who may hold them in the future, or those who are positively impacting their organisations outside the roles of leadership.
Our celebration overlooked the sculpture as we heard from the artist how she took inspiration from the ribbons worn by suffragettes, choosing steel as the material to represent the strength and resilience of women. The statue is deliberately not built on a plinth so the names look like they continue underground, to represent the unnamed women who have come before us and those yet to surface.
We also heard from some of the women behind the campaign and the women celebrated in the sculpture and explored what is being done to redress the gender imbalance in sculpture and public art.
Events like this give people a sense of community and belonging. Hearing other women's stories of how they made a difference, either through their professions or their passions within their community work is an inspiration. During the event I met theatre directors, policy advisors to No10 and MBE holders for services to tackle period poverty.
There were also a number of ‘firsts' in the room. The first black female gymnast to qualify for the Great Britain Olympic team, the first female chair of the Leeds Rhinos foundation and first Leeds City Council interim chief executive, and the first female vice chancellor of Leeds Arts University. Part of me feels frustrated that 100 years after women received the vote, we are still seeing firsts. But at least we are moving forward.
Talent needs to see itself represented. Whether that is during an advertising campaign to recruit to your organisation, in the diversity of the senior leadership or in driving transformational change. Sharing stories helps existing team members feel connected and future employees aspire to become part of the organisation.
In the current economic climate, not all authorities will be able to replicate what Leeds have done through Ribbons, but you can make small changes that will have a similar impact.
Speak to women and individuals with particular lived experience around your organisation and ask them to share their stories. Ask them why they work for your organisation. Share these stories both internally to inspire and engage with existing employees and add them to your website to attract future talent.
Find ways to celebrate successes, both success within people's roles and the roles they play in their communities. These stories will inspire the next generation. The more we share successes, the more people will see that not all doors are locked to them and glass ceilings have and can be broken.
Take the opportunity, like Leeds did, to look at icons – be that sculptures, artwork or other legacies – around your towns and cities and ask whether they represent your communities? Bigger initiatives, like Ribbons are great, but take smaller steps as well. Do your organisational values truly represent your organisation? Is the voice of our workforce truly represented on your website? Do your internal communications and organisational updates recognise what your workforce are doing in their communities?
The more we see ourselves represented, the more we all will be inspired to achieve greatness and foster the same ambition in others.
Sally Wilson is a principal consultant in GatenbySanderson's Local Government Practice
