• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Sponsor/Partner
  • Online Promotions

promotes diversity, champions female talent

  • Home
  • About
    • WiC Team
    • Volunteer Hospitality Team
    • Charitable Commitment
  • Knowledge Bank
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017 and earlier
    • City of London Fact Sheet
    • First British Women
  • Reach our Community
    • Jobs Board
    • Sponsor/Partner
    • Online Promotions
    • Case Studies
    • Metrics
    • Media Pack
  • Awards Programme
    • Future Leaders Award (2010-17)
    • Woman of Achievement Award (2007-15)
  • Contact us
  • Media Comment

role models

You can’t be what you can’t see – or can you?

7 February, 2017 By WiC

As a sound-bite this phrase certainly has impact and is often used to explain why women are not succeeding as well as they might in the workplace, the inference being that there are insufficient women in leadership positions who other females wish to emulate.

What are women’s expectations of role models, do all women want and/or need role models and should role models and mentors be “what others can see”?

Expectations of role models

Research undertaken by Dr Ruth Sealy on the impact of role models in female progression suggested that women tend to seek out role models who “tick all the boxes” and women often say that there aren’t “suitable” female role models within their organisations.

Men, on the other hand, put together a “composite” role model that encapsulates the best characteristics, behaviours, traits of a variety of people. They try to be the best by adopting and emulating the best regardless of whether s/he looks like them or not.

Do all women want/need role models?

Yes and no. There is a wide body of research which indicates that women need role models in order to succeed, yet I once heard Janet Street Porter speak at a female entrepreneurs’ network and when asked “Who are your role models?” she replied, quick as a flash, “Why would I want a role model? Why would I want to be like anyone else? I want to stand out from the crowd. I want to do things differently,” she continued to cheering and clapping from the group.

You could argue that she was the ideal “poster girl” for these female entrepreneurs. They wanted to do it their way. She was, therefore, their perfect role model – someone who was prepared to be different.

Do role models need to “be what you can see”?

Condoleeza Rice, the former US Secretary of State has said:

Search for those you can look up to and people who take an interest in your career.

But here’s an important warning: you don’t have to have mentors who look like you.

Had I been waiting for a black, female Soviet specialist mentor, I would still be waiting. Most of my mentors have been old white men, because they were the ones who dominated my field.

Maybe it’s time to think less about seeking one person, and more about seeking out a range of people whose qualities, values and behaviours you admire because sometimes you have to be what you can’t see.

Tweet

Filed Under: WIC Comment Tagged With: female, gender, leadership, motivating, personal development, role models, workplace

Primary Sidebar

visit our career website

Discover how to ensure your financial future

Sexual Harassment advice line

Reach our Community

There are various ways to reach our highly engaged and targeted community.

Promote your product or service with a dedicated solus e-blast

Got a job vacancy?
Why not promote it on our Jobs Board?

Brand Partners support WiC throughout the year and enjoy a range of special privileges.

get healthy in the city

busines healthy in the City

Sign up to the Tech Charter

vIEW fINANCE CHARTER SIGNATORIES

get active in the city

Go on – shop!

Footer

Video Highlights

  • FL Award Launch 2016
  • Strictly Democracy 2014
  • Importance of Networking 2014
  • Abseil Lloyds Building 2014
  • Lunch 2013
  • Women in Leadership 2013
  • Tea with a Twist 2013
  • Lunch 2012
  • Celebration Evening 2012

Legal

  • Statutory Information
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • CSR Policy
  • Social Media Policy
  • Data Protection Policy

Copyright © 2022 · Networking Culture Limited / Women in the City