In honor of Women's History Month, we're commemorating by engaging our team in meaningful reflection. Today, we're delighted to share insights from Nabeela Haque, our Global Director of Professional Services, through a brief Q&A session.

What do you think about women’s empowerment and equality? Do you think both are different?

In my view, women’s empowerment and equality are interconnected but also distinct concepts each playing a crucial role in creating a more equitable society. Women’s empowerment is about giving women tools, resources, and opportunities to make choices and participate fully in decision-making process. On the other hand, equality refers to having the same rights and opportunities, and the fair treatment regardless of gender. Achieving both requires addressing systemic barriers and gender-based stereotypes that perpetuate inequalities, and nurture and environment of inclusivity free from discriminatory practices. 

What do you consider as the biggest obstacle in your career?

Firstly, the lack of representation of women in leadership positions really hits home for me. It's alarming to see how gender bias and stereotypes, particularly in male-dominated industries, have held women back for far too long. Secondly, the in my personal experience, the lack of mentorship and sponsorship opportunities has been an obstacle wherein my earlier years, I found myself navigating the corporate landscape without much guidance from senior members. But progress is happening, and I've noticed some fantastic strides being made by progressive organisations like ours. Still, the reality at large is that women are often side-lined when it comes to leadership roles, and that has a direct impact on our ability to make meaningful contributions and advance in our careers. It's like there's this invisible barrier that we're constantly pushing against. But I remain hopeful that with continued efforts and awareness, we can break through these barriers and create more opportunities for women to lead and thrive in the workplace.

What do you think is the most significant barrier to female empowerment?

A lot of it has to do with gender-based stereotypes and societal expectations are the most significant barrier. These deeply ingrained stereotypes dictate what is considered acceptable or appropriate for women, shaping our opportunities, choices, and aspirations from a young age. Whether it's the belief that women are inherently less capable in certain fields or the expectation that we should perfectly balance caregiving and career advancement without missing a beat, these stereotypes create structural discriminatory practices and these limit women's ability to fully participate and thrive in the workplace and in society. 

How do you manage work-life balance. Your tips and tricks?

Finding the perfect work-life balance is an ongoing journey. While I take pride in my work and find fulfilment in it, I've come to realise the importance of also prioritising activities outside of work that contribute to my overall well-being, maintaining a positive mindset and bringing my best self to work. I’d urge to continuously look at priorities and practice time-boxing and openly communicatie with both manager and colleagues about setting realistic expectations to better manage work demands. This also opens opportunities for personal pursuits. This way, I can integrate work and personal life in a harmonious way and lead a more balanced life. 

What is the change that is wanted? What would success look like? 

Success, to me, involves more than just recognising women's contributions; it's about empowering them both in the workplace and society at large. Success to me would be closing the wage gap and increase women representation in leadership positions with implementing DEI initiatives aimed at promoting women by ways of mentorship/sponsorship programs, career and succession planning that prioritise DEI, promote working arrangement that cater to the diverse needs of women, amplify women’s voices in decision-making, and providing targeted support for women in male-dominated industries. Through this, we can make meaningful strides toward better gender equality.

How do you manage work-life balance. Your tips and tricks?

Choosing the right company that understands work life balance is key, enjoying what I do day-to-day, setting boundaries, knowing my values and self-worth, scheduling down time and planning vacations in advance. 

From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges for women in leadership roles? 

As someone deeply invested in women's advancement in the workplace, I've delved into numerous studies and articles from reputable institutions which consistently highlight a troubling reality: while women make up nearly half of the workforce especially in regions like Europe, the UK, and the US, out representation in leadership roles falls drastically short, lingering at less than 30%. Reflecting on my own experiences and those of countless women around me, it's evident that we confront multifaceted challenges. One major hurdle is unconscious bias, where women's capabilities are unfairly scrutinised and often held to stricter standards compared to our male counterparts. This inherent disadvantage can impede our progress from the outset, making it an uphill battle to attain leadership positions. Another point is balancing work and family responsibilities poses a significant challenge, especially considering that women are statistically more likely than men to take on caregiving roles and something many of us have personally experienced. This added burden can strain our time and energy and feed into biases held when it comes to promoting women into higher positions. But in my opinion, the most glaring issue remains the prevalence of gender biases and stereotypes in the workplace. Despite societal strides, these discriminatory practices persist and manifest in various forms, from unfair hiring practices to limited advancement opportunities. To share a couple of examples, women can often be wrongly perceived as too emotional or not assertive enough or just not capable enough, perpetuating barriers to our career growth. Navigating these challenges is particularly daunting in male-dominated organisations/industries, where we already may feel like outsiders striving to carve out our place. The struggle to fit in while combatting stereotypes and biases is isolating but I remain optimistic about the potential for change. Nowadays, more and more organisations are becoming partners in advocating for inclusivity and championing diverse perspectives so we can collectively address these systemic issues and create a more equitable environment.

What advice did you get early on in your career that has stayed with you and what advice do you have for people who want to do more?

Early in my career, I received invaluable advice that has stayed with me through the years: 'Build your personal brand in the workplace, be known for something'.  This advice stayed with me and taught me the value of showcasing my strengths and talents, and cultivating a strong personal brand set me apart and helped me advance in my career especially in my earlier years. I’d also add for anyone just starting their career to build relationships and network relentlessly. Your network can be invaluable in opening doors that you may not have access to otherwise.