Speaker: Laura Howard, Founder and Psychologist at The Contented Workplace Company and Associate Tutor at Birkbeck College, University of London.

Summary:
The number of women in top positions is not increasing quickly enough to swiftly address gender parity. One possible reason is that ‘think manager think male’ remains prevalent. Women, therefore, face a double bind. First, they are perceived as appearing un-leader-like enough to reach senior positions. Second, if they reach a senior role their behaviour is judged as unfeminine resulting in unfavourable treatment.

In this presentation, Laura shares her findings on barriers and enablers women leaders face when developing and enacting their authentic behaviours at work. These serve as timely reminders to organisations, allies, and leaders of how to support women leaders in their careers. Similarly, business psychologists can use the insights from this research to assist their practice in supporting greater gender equity at work.

Based on a study interviewing women CEOs, directors and leaders, about their experiences practical recommendations will be presented on how to support women leaders to work optimally.

Bio:
After a twenty-year global career in the private and public sectors, including ten years as a senior leader, Laura wanted to help other teams and leaders be their best and bring that best to work. Graduating from Birkbeck College with an MSc in organizational psychology in 2022, the following year she was invited back as an Associate Tutor. She is actively involved in several leadership research projects and authored a year-long research study on authenticity in women’s leadership during her Masters degree. Now, in the Contented Workplace Company, she combines her professional experience as a global leader with academic rigour. A former people leader, Laura’s expertise has been forged in real-world experience where today she supports organisations as an executive coach, mentor, and leadership adviser and facilitator