Leaders in Conversation with Anni Townend

The unconscious bias of the boardroom and why men win at work with Gill Whitty-Collins Anni talks to the inspirational Gilly Whitty-Collins, author of Why Men Win at Work to discuss deep-rooted, invisible discrimination and how we can change it.Gill reveals what led her to become a passionate champion for gender equality. She admits that for most of her life she wasn’t really as aware of, or affected, by gender bias. In fact, Gill’s first experience of gender inequality wasn’t until she reached Senior Vice President Level and was surrounded by men and the “unconscious bias” of the boardroom. It was then that she realised women are often held back at work, particularly in the senior roles dominated and dictated by male culture. She set about to understand the what and the why behind these dominant structures, and how she could make a difference.In this fascinating Leaders in Conversation episode, Gill discusses:Stepping up into a senior role in a male dominant culture The impact of being heard but not listened to as a womanWhy some women in leadership roles fall victim to “feminist phobia” and shy away from conversations about equalityThe power of invisible culture and the limiting impact of a dominant culture when minorities are not representedWhy men, who hold 90% of leadership roles in the UK, are critical to driving change Why discomfort, difference of opinion and diversity of thought are critical The Jacinda Arden affect - how we are redefining what leadership looks like in today’s worldGill talks further about her book Why Men Win at Work which she is keen to clarify is not a “cynical attack” of men’s success in the workplace, but an exploration of the topic. As a result, the book has attracted a lot of male readers also keen to further understand the impact of gender and success. The book looks at the unconscious and psychological reasons that both men and women continue to push the patriarchy and how together, we can change things. Gill has a simple call to action for you: “Read it and become a feminist. Become one of my feminists. I've got lots out there. Embrace the cause and embrace it, not as a charity, but as business. Embrace it as something that will be good for your life and good for your business. And embrace that diversity is better, equal is better. “Discover more and connect with Gill Whitty-Collins Website: www.gillwhittycollins.comInstagram: @gillwhittycollinsFollow the hashtag: #whymenwinatworkBuy the book: www.booksetc.co.uk

Question it. Challenge it. Change it. Advice from a multi-champion sporting superstar.“It is a massive lie that we've been told forever that women are not as good and that we can't do things…...My purpose isn't just to be the best athlete that I can be. It's to use sport, one of the most powerful things on the planet, for bringing about positive change.” Stacey Copeland, Boxer.In this episode Anni talks to Stacey Copeland, former professional athlete, public speaker, presenter, campaigner and the first ever British woman to win the Commonwealth title.Stacey began her career as a professional sportswoman at the tender age of 16 when she was picked to play for the England Woman’s Football Team. From there she went on to represent England both on the field and in the ring as a professional boxer and eventually became a Commonwealth Champion.Listen to this remarkable episode where Stacey shares a life in sport, including her first experience of gender bias and inequality, and how she overcame adversity to carve a successful career as a female athlete. She also talks about being a role model for social justice and gender empowerment, including how she fought for and put pressure on the Commonwealth Boxing Council to create a Women's Commonwealth Title Belt, something that was regrettably only offered to male champions. Stacey talks passionately about the importance of realising your potential and supporting and helping young people to “have the fullest life they can” in sport and in society. She goes on to provide practical advice we can all take to remove gender stereotypes and barriers to success.Hear Stacey’s unique perspective on:The limiting impact of stereotypes and stigma on human potentialThe importance of language and how phrases sometimes unknowingly hold a lot of bias -and how we can change that to create more positive, inclusive dialogueHow sport can be used as a powerful channel for positive change Why considering the bigger picture is key to realising your purpose and potentialHow to be a courageous and compassionate leader The power of positive reinforcement and “filling up your petrol tank” This special Leaders in Conversation episode comes as Stacey recently made the difficult decision to retire from the world of competitive sport. Announcing her intention to step out of the ring, she penned a highly touching and celebratory tribute to her career, titled My Letter to Sport: The beginning was exciting, and the ending was sad, but it’s everything in between that made it all worth living. Read the full letter here.You can discover more about Stacey on her website, including her sporting achievements, current speaking and media engagements and to read her blog. The website also includes details of the Pave The Way charity which she founded in 2017Discover more at Stacey-Copeland.co.uk

Walking towards a better life In this fascinating episode, Anni talks with Joao Perre Viana, Founder and Pioneer of Walking Mentorship, about how his love of walking and being in nature helped him to realised his purpose. Along the way Joao shares his experience of growing up living by the ocean in Portugal, and how, encouraged by his parents, he expanded his horizons and travelled far and wide. Always walking wherever he was. Joao describes how he invited a large group of friends to help him realise his dream, and the birth of Walking Mentorship. He also reveals how despite never really believing in the power of partnership, he met his partner Nuno Santos Fernandes. A partnership founded on trust, that is now expanding to other alumni of the Walking Mentorship programmes. Joao reveals how finding your purpose is a dynamic process, one of revisiting and revising along the way. And walking towards a better life.In this episode, you will discover: The privilege and power of freedom of movement and thoughtReturning home from a big, life-changing adventure How nature can help to nurture curiosity and an open mind Realising your dream and purpose through walking and being outside Identifying the best version of yourself through connecting to your values in natureThe importance of trust and partnershipConnect with Joao and discover his work at walkingmentorship.com

Tackling ageism in fashion with Jacynth Bassett, Founder of The Bias CutIn this podcast, Anni talks to female entrepreneur Jacynth Bassett, founder of The Bias Cut, the first age inclusive online fashion boutique, launched in 2016.A journey to age inclusivity and empowermentHaving studied Law at university, Jacynth realised it wasn’t the right path for her and wanted to carve out a career she could be passionate about. While drawn to the world of fashion she recognised how the industry alienated people in her mother’s generation who often face discrimination and generally a lack of recognition and respect. She became increasingly determined to fight ageism in fashion, and The Bias Cut was born. 'Ageism is Never in Style'As a pioneer and champion of inclusivity and diversity, Jacynth is on a mission to empower women of all ages to feel more confident and to raise more awareness of age-based discrimination. She launched the movement and community Ageism is Never in Style which has thousands of online followers and has branded badges and face masks people can wear to show support.Explaining how fashion has the ability to build confidence, collectively and individually, she tells Anni: “I think it's really important to recognise the power of clothes and the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry, because it's about identity, self value and worth. If you're not represented, then naturally you're going to feel you're not as worthy. "I think the fashion industry has a responsibility to encourage and to champion diversity and inclusivity and to offer clothes that will allow women of all ages and shapes and sizes to feel good about themselves.”Listen and discover the full storyListen to this uplifting and inspirational podcast for the full story about The Bias Cut. Jacynth also reveals her motivations and inspiration, the values that are closest to her heart, current initiatives in the community, and her journey as a young female entrepreneur.Find out more about The Bias Cut and browse the range of age inclusive fashion on the website: thebiascut.com

We often talk about how to have big, sometimes difficult, conversations with people. One of the biggest, most difficult, conversations in our lives is that of talking about death. Be that talking about our own death and what would we like to happen or talking with others, especially loved ones about their death.In this podcast, Anni talks with Jessika Hulbert about being a Celebrant and helping people to have these conversations sooner rather than later. She draws on her own experience of loss and of having conversations with people as they prepare for death, or as they reel from the shock of an untimely or sudden death. Her focus is on helping people to have the very best experience that is possible when we lose someone dear to us.Although known and sought out to officiate as a Funeral Celebrant Jessika is passionate about ceremony, about creating spaces and places in which people can celebrate important events in their lives from birth through to death and ‘everything in between’. Ceremonies are an occasion for bringing people together, and sometimes for rifts between divided families to be healed, and for friendships to be renewed between people.Deep listening to how people feel, to what they would like, and then helping them make that possible is core to Jessika’s support and care that gives people the courage to have difficult conversations. To find out more about Jessika visit: https://www.solemnity.org.uk/

Anni talks to Abi, Maker, Mender, Mentor and Mother about a rich career in textile engineering that took her from Bangladesh to Brussels to Brighton. They also discuss her passion for ethics and how Abi became a pioneer in bringing Fairtrade textiles to the British highstreet. Visit: abigailsdrapery.co.uk

Anni talks to Karen Dobres, elected Co-Director of Lewes Football Club, the only football club in the world to pay women and men players the same. Karen reveals how her background affected her own prior prejudices and misconceptions about women in sport and why seeing women playing for the first time was a real "wake up call". She recalls the realisation of seeing women players as strong, passionate and highly skilled. She describes women footballers as boasting authentic qualities, which are often hard for other women to achieve. Karen shares how her experience of "being an outsider" has further driven her passion for equality and social justice, in sport and beyond.She reveals some shocking truths about the gender pay gap in sport, revealing the apparent lack of wealth invested in the Lionesses (England's professional women's team).However, despite the challenges, Karen talks passionately about the positive power of football and how, as the most popular sport in the world, it can change the way in which girls, boys, women and men are seen in society.She comments: “Sport is a huge index of meaning and value to so many people. If you think about football in particular, there are nearly 4 billion football fans around the world who live and breathe football and it has an incredible influence over their hearts and minds. So if we can use football to influence a more equal society in terms of gender, race and all of these things, then we will have been using it for good.”Discover moreTo find out more about Lewes Football Club, including details of how to be a member, visit: www.lewesfc.com/ownersYou can connect with Karen on Instagram: @karendobres

Anni talks to leadership consultant Russell Pocock about trust, psychological safety, colliding perspectives and the positive outcomes that are a consequence of leaders who escape from their echo chambers, allow feedback on their leadership and foster a culture of trust.Find out more about Russell

Baker Girl and founder of The Happy Tummy Co, Karen is a woman with a mission to rid the world of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Karen talks with Anni about the power of collaborating with others to inspire and help people to enjoy better gut health through learning how to eat functionally and for pleasure. Drawing on her own experience Karen shares how, having been born with IBS and her love of science mixed with intuition, led her to realise that Teff seed fermented and baked into bread is the solution to IBS. Visit Karen's website at www.thehappytummyco.com

In an honest and open account Shannon Banks talks to Anni Townend about the experiences which have shaped and challenged her values and the power of Action Learning to bring about both corporate and social change. To find out more about Shannon’s work visit her website. http://www.be-leadership.com/

Ian talks about his own ethics and the ethics of those he wishes to work with and the impact they could make together in creating a fairer society which values individuals over profit and takes responsibility for being part of achieving that. www.ianlock.co.uk

Anni talks to Amanda Saurin about her leadership journey, her love of nature, the extent to which she pays attention to her intuition when setting up new projects, the joy of collaboration and of working with teams of older women. She describes her love of nature and its power to heal, bring joy and foster resilience throughout life.Visit Amanda's website

Marisa Guthrie talks to Anni about trauma in business, the role of Equine Facilitated Learning in helping people through trauma, her love of wild terrain and how she finds inspiration in the work she does with millennials, their values and their contribution to the world. Visit Marisa's website

How to recognise your superhuman brilliance Anni talks to fellow Leadership Consultant, Natalie Shering, about the importance of helping others to be their best and why nature and adventure is a a major source of inspiration for her leadership approach.Natalie begins by discussing how early childhood shaped who she is, her values and beliefs. In particular, she opens up about the experience of having been adopted as a baby with her identical twin sister - an opportunity for which she is forever grateful. She reveals: "That massively shaped the lives that we have led and the person I've become. Principally, because of the opportunity that afforded me to live a life that could have been very different. And the value that underpins is one of wanting to give back continually. I believe if we live our lives in service to others, we live greater lives."Natalie goes on to discuss how an early career in science and nursing provided the foundations for her leadership journey. She shares how her love of adventure, nature and the outdoors has further shaped her approach to 'creative leadership'."To be back in nature, to be back where we belong, I believe really helps me revitalise the physical energy and recognise how small we are in nature and how insignificant we can be but how significant can be,” comments Natalie. Leadership in actionAs fellow Leadership Consultants, Anni and Natalie talk about the principles of leadership and development and how other leaders can unlock their potential. They discuss:The importance of reflection and actionWhy feedback is crucialWhy leaders must balance energy and passion with providing space for others Identifying the triggers that can take you from your best to your worstMaking space for self care and self compassion Recognising and letting go of self-limiting beliefs The power of self belief and recognising your brilliance - and how encourage others to recognise their strenghtsAs something that drives everything she does, Natalie encourages leaders to consider the opportunities they have to support others and give back by helping each other to "shine".Discover more and connect with NatalieFind out more about Natalie Shering Coaching and Creative Leadership programmes by visiting www.natalieshering.com