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Overcoming Barriers to Women in the Workplace

  • 9th March 2023
  • Investing in Women
  • 3 mins read
Overcoming Barriers to Women in the Workplace featured image

Welcome to today’s Facebook and LinkedIn Live, a special edition in honour of International Women’s Day.

This year’s theme is embracing equity, recognising the need to allocate resources and opportunities based on individual circumstances.

During the show, Elizabeth interviews Esther McMorris, CEO of Nine Feet Tall, a management consulting firm that delivers change projects. Esther will discuss how companies can overcome barriers that prevent women from reaching senior roles, attract and retain more female talent, and create a culture that enables women to achieve their full potential. She will also address building women’s confidence in the workplace and the measures companies can take to ensure equity, so please stay tuned for an insightful discussion on these important topics.

Key Highlights

[00:00:00] Introduction to today’s guest and topic: Esther McMorris talks about how women can overcome the barriers to women in the workplace

[00:01:18] A bit of background on Nine Feet Tall

[00:03:48] Esther’s early days as an entrepreneur

[00:05:07] Coming up with a culture that she and her employees would enjoy working in

[00:06:23] Barriers that prevent women from reaching senior roles in consulting

[00:11:35] What company culture shifts make the most difference to women at work in achieving their full potential?

[00:15:02] What to do to attract and retain more female talent in an organisation

[00:18:14] How can women get better at work confidence?

[00:21:10] Strategies that Nine Feet Tall has for improving equity and how companies can improve equity

[00:25:20] About Nine Feet Tall and the roles that Esther recruits for

Notable Quotes

  • We value openness, transparency, accountability, and fun at Nine Feet Tall. Our goal is to deliver change for our clients by equipping and supporting them with the tools they need and giving them the freedom to deliver.
  • Flexible working benefits both employers and employees. Employers gain commitment and loyalty from accommodating employee needs, leading to better retention rates. Employees come back refreshed, motivated, and grateful for the flexibility.
  • There is something around empowerment, so giving people the tools and the freedom to do it is probably the biggest bit for me is trust.
  • Confidence is key for consultants, who are always in the spotlight, providing guidance and advice to clients. A strong sense of inner confidence is essential to excel in this industry.
  • At Nine Feet Tall, we believe personality and ambition are more important than skills. By prioritising these qualities in our recruitment, we can develop our team members’ skills and help them achieve their full potential.

Resources

To connect with Elizabeth Willetts:

Investing in Women Flexible Working Job Board and Recruitment Website: Investing in Women

Facebook: Facebook

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

To connect with Esther McMorris:

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

Websites: Nine Feet Tall