Board Level
The Australian Institute of Company Directors
Podcast
Episodes
Listen, download, subscribe
Catherine Fox on the vital role of women's leadership
Join Rebecca Warren, General Manager, Strategy & Transformation, Commonwealth Bank, as she sits down and speaks with Board Level Host, Catherine Fox. As you probably already know, Catherine is an award winning journalist, author, presenter and leading commentator on women and the workforce. Valuable Discussion Points [00:57] How has working in the finance and journalism sectors shaped your idea of female role models? Catherine began her career in one of what was then, a big five trading bank, as a graduate. What struck her immediately was the number of talented women that were in this sector, but even more so the glass ceilings that so evidently were raised above them. Catherine recognised the lack of mobility in this sector when it came to women in the workforce, moreover, leadership roles were few and far between for women. Once Catherine had joined the Financial Review, she felt as if she was joining her tribe as a journalist, as she noticed a much more diverse workplace, and one that seemed to harbor and foster women leaders in a way that the finance sector just hadn’t yet. While noting the diversity of journalism and media in general, she still understands the gaps in equality in regards to opportunities and senior roles. [03:44] Are these experiences what fostered this fight for gender equality and the path in which you’ve navigated throughout your career? Catherine recognises that it’s not an overnight feeling, anything like this, it only develops over time. Growing up in a family that promoted equality and understood shared values and opportunities regardless of gender, Catherine posits her tenure at the University of Technology, Sydney, as the place where she had her eyes opened. Developing a better understanding of what equality actually means, Catherine took these lessons she had learnt at UTS and ensured that they permeated wherever she went, especially the workforces she had joined, ones that she believed were riddled with inequality of opportunity. [05:52] What do you think makes a good leader and when have you seen leadership done well? Catherine states that she’s seen fantastic leadership from both men and women throughout her career, however, due to her teachings and the awe she has for women who break the mould, she naturally has learnt or seen the best leadership through their decisions and judgements. While Catherine admits that describing a good leader is difficult, she admires people that are adaptable, and have the ability to adjust based on feedback, and are willing to take on board criticism if it will progress the group as a whole. Catherine also recognises the importance of courage within a leader, especially someone willing to challenge the perceptions of their industry and stand up for what they believe is right. [08:06] What have you learnt from holding an advisory role on gender in the Australian Defence Force, which is a traditionally male dominated field? Stepping into a role where she advised a field that was not only male dominated in regards to the recruits and workers, but in leadership, Catherine knew she was dealing with a problem regarding the current system and structure. Catherine posits that the Chiefs of Service and other commanders were honest and forthcoming with their lapses in judgement and progressiveness in regards to adapting the social and cultural movements of the Australian Defence Force. They were willing to work with people like Catherine to improve not only the gender equality issue, but the overarching issue of human equality within the Defence Force. [12:13] What do you think we need to do to tackle the problem of both gender and culture diversity within the workforce together? Catherine recognises the role of the Race Discrimination Commissioner, among others, in instilling the right values, resources and people so that the systems that are currently in place become more inclu
Board Level RSS Feed
