Be intentional, everyday

Inclusion isn’t about a single day. It’s about being intentional, every day.

I’ve posted many times about struggling with #InternationalWomensDay. I’ve noticed more posts of similar sentiment this year. Maybe it’s that old adage of ‘don’t think of a red car’, then that’s all you can see. But even with 2026 themes of 'Give to Gain’, ‘Balance the Scales’ or the UN ‘Rights. Justice. Action’, there’s a healthy dissatisfaction bubbling.

Awareness matters, conversations matter. But we have to give more than encouraging words to gain traction.

Early on, I was told I was 'too nice' to lead. Collaboration and empathy were seen as weakness against a masculine backdrop. Success required ego and dominance. It knocked my confidence. So I was told to get a mentor to find more confidence.

I worked hard over the years to sit at tables and still felt a lack of space. Space for me, yes. Space for me to be me, no. Invited in, but expected to assimilate. Contribute politely. Leaders advocating diversity but promoting the same styles.

It took years to realise that being excessively human is exactly what’s needed in this ever-changing, consistently uncertain world.

Look at the teams you know. How many are balanced? How many amazing women do you know who have left big roles in the last year alone?

Representation matters. But representation without authentic contribution doesn’t create or sustain change.

If we’re being progressive not performative, regardless of theme, the day shows us:

Organisations must give up the narrow mould of leadership to gain better decisions.

Give up the prefix 'female' to gain leaders.

Give up talking about diversity and balancing nothing around your table.

And perhaps for some of us, giving up the habit of politely fitting in to gain a space where we can authentically contribute.

There’s nothing wrong with guidance and support. But the real gift isn’t just helping women to navigate the systemic barriers, it’s removing them altogether. Which isn’t easy.

My nudge of what’s tangible that anyone can do:

• Notice who isn’t being heard, can you amplify them?

• Question who’s in the room, and who isn’t

• Sponsor women actively…mention someone's name in a room they are not yet in

And ask yourself;

• Where have I been politely fitting in?

• Where am I speaking about progress, but not practising it?

To some amazing leaders, who happen to be female, I've been lucky to partner closely with over the last couple of years Sarah Taitt Claudine Mardini Cassandra Smarrelli Vicki Mains Mel Firth Chloe Howe Sam Hughes Julie Lodge Emily Savage Kay Bartlett Elena Venkova Lauren. Thank you for being you. And to the true sponsors out there, thank you.

Perhaps the true success of #IWD will be marked when it no longer needs to exist. Until then, mark today not as a celebration, but as a reminder of the work still to be done.

Don’t just notice today’s posts. Notice tomorrow and the next day who has space to contribute around tables.

And invite who doesn’t.