In the Spotlight – Huntress Managed Detection and Response (MDR)
At Stratus Blue, we exist to give businesses the freedom to be remarkable, and we
As we approach International Women’s Day I have been thinking about my role as a Chief Operating Officer (COO) in an IT company and reflecting on my career. If I had asked the child version of myself whether I thought I would be here, I honestly would have said no.
Thankfully along the way I have met some inspirational people who have changed my life. There were those who pushed me to be the best version of myself, even when I couldn’t see it, and then there were those who told me I would fail and never amount to anything. Both have driven me equally for different reasons.
I was having a conversation recently and was asked where I learned to be such an empathetic, forward-thinking, strong leader? It was an interesting question. For me, as much as I learned lessons from leaders that I admired, I also learned from those with less desirable traits – those who were bullies, unjust, unreasonable and incapable of seeing beyond themselves. They taught me to recognise what I didn’t want to be and reinforced my determination to lead through compassion, support and trust.
During this same conversation I was asked about the best piece of advice I have ever received. Funnily enough this was from a male speaker, whose name I sadly don’t remember. During his presentation he bluntly stated that women have a harder time being seen as credible leaders and speakers. His reasoning? When a professional man gets up to speak people listen to what he has to say taking little notice of what he looks like. However, when a professional woman addresses an audience, she is often first assessed on her ‘looks’ and only if they like what they see will they listen. Sadly, I have experienced this firsthand, but being armed with this advice has helped me understand the way a lot of people think and navigate what is still a very male dominated industry. You may laugh, but I have personally been in situations where I have had three meetings on a particular day, and I have had to change my appearance for each of them.
Please don’t misunderstand me, I haven’t allowed this to perpetuate and as a female leader in the industry I have made it my responsibility to address these stereotypes and narrow-minded views. I have never been afraid to challenge male colleagues ‘head on’ and educate with some considerable success. There is still plenty of work to do, but fortunately I’m now in a company that understands what I bring to the organisation and they embrace it.
Notwithstanding the challenges, working in the IT industry has been a hugely rewarding part of my life. The pace is fast, the work is energising and exciting, and everything I do is to help people do what they do better so they can go on and achieve great things. This gives me a huge sense of satisfaction and drive.
So what advice do I want to impart to other women trying to make it as an executive in a male dominated environment? Be that woman that helps others to rise and seek out others like you for support when you need to – you’re not alone. If you find that ladder that lets you climb, then leave a map for others to find. Be that sister building up others, be that trailblazer who cuts a path for others to follow and most importantly be the role model the younger you would have wanted to look up to.
At Stratus Blue, we exist to give businesses the freedom to be remarkable, and we
Business continuity is the ability of a business to continue operating critical business functions during
As we approach International Women’s Day I have been thinking about my role as a Chief