It’s hard to believe that just over 100 years ago^*, women didn’t have the ability to vote in this country. I find myself wondering about what the external views of those women who took a stand and challenged the status quo may have been.

Looking back with today’s lens, we hail them as heroes showing courage and resilience for going against the grain, but what is the modern equivalent of their action in our current corporate landscape?

More importantly, how many of us would be willing to make a stand for change, when we believe something in our heart isn’t right and how we would go about taking said stand. In any scenario, there will be extremes on both ends of the spectrum, particularly if you haven’t had the opportunity to be surrounded by role models.

I’ve always looked for role models and inspiration from people who looked and sounded like me. As a white cis female, I was luckier than so many others – at least there were role models who had blazed a trail throughout history that I could turn to, but they still felt like the exception not the rule.

After many years in an industry that can, at times, be described as masculine and egocentric, I can confidently say that I haven’t always got the balance right even though female empowerment is one of my core values. Speaking up or challenging the way things have always been done can be a lonely road, particularly if your leaders are not encouraging of diversity of thought or you lack an ally around the board room table.

Rather than focusing on an archaic view of men who were the sole decision makers and are not open to a woman’s thoughts, I chose to take a different approach. I choose to channel my energy into how I can make the journey easier for those that come after me, whether it be women, new leaders, or simply helping others navigate a situation that I have experience failing or succeeding in.

On International Women’s Day, I say "thank you" to the courageous women that have come before me and can only hope that I can do the same in making the path a little easier to those that walk behind me.

Ngā mihi nui

* Women won the right to vote in New Zealand in 1893