sphinxx blog

I attended a NSW Women in Finance event this morning.  It was the first in a CEO series they have planned, and the guest speaker was Steve Sargent, CEO of GE Australia and New Zealand.  So first of all, congratulations to the committee on putting together such a terrific initiative.

There was a great turnout at the event and – despite the preface from Sargent that he would not tell us anything we didn’t already know – I am sure no one went home empty handed.  This is not the first time I’ve said it, but isn’t GE an amazing organisation.  To have operations across the globe and representing almost every industry, and generate $23bn in earnings per annum, is simply phenomenal.  That 80% of this revenue comes from businesses not owned by the company in 1995 demonstrates its deep expertise in the processes of innovation and imagination.

Given Sargent has held some big roles (he was one of the first to lead the Six Sigma program in GE) and worked closely with some big GE names including Welch and Immelt and their executive teams, he is of course well placed to comment on the essentials of leadership GE style.  And this is exactly what he did.

Of all the suggestions on offer, the one that took my fancy is that leaders should have good deal skills.  That is, they should be experienced in building something, buying something or fixing something – and preferably all three.  It make sense, after all these are some of the core skills we’re taught at business school.  But all the case studies in the world won’t give you the same skills as actually doing it for real.

Think about your career.  Have you bought, built or fixed a business of significance?  Could you?  What did you learn from the process?  And how do women get access to these kind of opportunities, which are normally the domain of the boys club?

Tell us about your big deal on the sphinxx blog and allow other women leaders to learn from your experiences.

In business, I mean, rather than your infamy in general.   At a networking function last week I met a delightful partner in one of Australia’s top law firms.  Let’s call him Mark.  You know the kind of person I mean, the all-round-good-guy who everyone can’t help but like.He appeared genuinely interested as I relayed the story of sphinxx.  As I layered my statistics onto research and the anecdotes of glass ceilings and labyrinths, Mark was in violent agreement.  For his part he pointed out that he’s a big supporter of women in his firm, and enthusiastically introduced me to one of his lawyers who was also at the event. We’ll call her Jane.

“Jen, this is Jane.  Jane’s really one of our assets and she organized a fantastic Melbourne Cup luncheon for all the team - we’re all still recovering.”

Hmmm.  Was the introduction that Jane was expecting?

Two days later at an event for senior women in business, the debate centred on what women can do to get noticed for promotions.  Volunteering was suggested at my table as a way to raise one’s profile; and that performing those no-one-wants-to-do tasks for the boss will put you in good stead.

Bollocks!  I reckon the mere fact that you get the chance to “volunteer” to coordinate a work function – or perform the OH&S audit – or be a fire warden – is because no bloke in his right mind would put his hand up for such a thankless and un-recognised task.  They want the Melbourne Cup lunch, but they’re not going to organize it!  For starters, they don’t have the time to – because they’ve already stalked out and staked their claim on the meaty, strategic task force projects that will put them in front of key decision makers and give them a real opportunity to strut their intellectual stuff.  So they just don’t have time for the left over “tasks” that are about delivery instead of decisions.

Sure, there is a time and a place for putting your hand up.  But if you are looking for impact, then observe where the blokes are channeling their efforts and follow their cue.  There’s nothing wrong with being the social coordinator in your business, and if you enjoy it then why not?  But be aware – it just might be all that you’re famous for.

What do you think about this topic?  Post your reply here on the blog.

Congratulations to the editorial team at BOSS. In selecting OrotonGroup CEO Sally Macdonald for the cover of this month’s edition, BOSS is helping to breakdown the stereotypes of leadership.

Although Katrina Nicholas’ feature “Stepping Up” profiled many talented CEOs, the selection of Macdonald as the face of the future CEO is an inspiration to women seeking to make it to the top job and has done more for the advancement of women in this country than any editorial content could.

Let’s hope that other media houses will now follow suit.

Congratulations to jockeys Clare Lindop and Lisa Cropp who made Melbourne Cup history today – the first time two women have contested the race that stops the nation.

No, their trusty steeds did not win a place, but they did run a fine race to finish well ahead of the pack in 5^th and 9^th positions respectively.  In the sport of kings, for two women to be even in the starting gates is worthy of special mention.

Not that these two champions would say so.  For South Australian jockey Lindop, who was riding in her second Melbourne Cup today, and New Zealander and three-time NZ premiership winner Cropp, it was all in a day’s work.  Perhaps it’s no surprise that Lindop was quoted in The Age in saying : “I’m a jockey first.  I’m not flying the flag for women”.

I’m sure we all feel this way when it comes to making our own marks in our careers, we want to do it on equal footing and prove we are every bit  worthy of the honor.  But still this accomplishment in rising through the ranks to make it all the way to a Cup run is something all leading women should recognize for what it is:  a spectacular success for women jockeys around Australia who – like all of us – seek role models to whom they can aspire.

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again:  role models matter because seeing is believing; and believing is achieving.

Perhaps there are women in your workplace leading the charge as well?  Tell us about them – who they are and what you’ve learned from them – here at the sphinxx blog.