Women share inspiring paths to success
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Here at Alfred Health, 72 per cent of our 11,000-strong workforce is women. Our executive team is 75 per cent women, and with our Board, 78 per cent women – which is far greater than the national average of just one third. But how did we get here? This week, we asked some of our leading female researchers to share how they’d got to where they are today.
We heard their stories of perseverance, and of the people who thought outside the box and created pathways that helped them to get where they are today.
Amongst these five women, key themes were clear. Not only are they driven, intelligent and ambitious, they are resilient and not afraid to take risks. But they haven’t achieved their successes alone. Behind all of these women are supportive teams and inspiring leaders. There are thoughtful educators, managers and mentors, who took the time to see their potential, make suggestions and invest in them.
These women took risks. They went for jobs they didn’t think they were qualified for. They negotiated part-time positions out of full time roles. They negotiated funding for roles that didn’t exist, in areas that were not common. They persevered when at times they weren’t sure if they could.
Here are their tips for women to get ahead:
Prof Carol Hodgson, Executive Director, Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre: Be brave. There are times you are passionate and that’s when you’ll be good at something. But too often women worry they won’t be good enough. So be brave and put yourself out there. And just focus on doing good work. The rest will follow.
Prof Tracey Bucknall, Alfred Deakin Professor and Director of Nursing Research at Alfred Health: Take risks and say yes. Then try and work it out afterwards.
Dr Shobi Sivathamboo, Research Fellow, Department of Neurology/Neuroscience at Alfred Health and Monash University: Know your worth and the value of your time. Know what to take on, and when to say no. Think about whether something will be beneficial to your career.
Prof Michelle Giles, Infectious Diseases Physician and immunisation expert at Alfred Health: Never close any doors. You can reinvent yourself so don’t decide too early to define who you are.
Prof Anne Holland, Professor of Physiotherapy and Head of Respiratory Research, Alfred Health and Monash University: See leadership as an opportunity rather than a threat. Women bring a valuable perspective to leadership roles and we need more of it.
