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Celebrating ALL Women: The Quiet Voices Behind Success
International Women’s Day 2025 – Celebrating ALL Women: The Quiet Voices Behind Success by Kirsty Lancaster
This International Women’s Day, the theme “For ALL women and girls” is an important one. Every year, we rightfully celebrate the trailblazing women who have risen to the top and their achievements deserve every bit of recognition.
But when we focus only on these success stories, are we unintentionally missing the bigger picture?
What about the countless women whose contributions keep businesses running, families thriving, and communities strong- women who might not have fancy titles but work just as hard, if not harder? The ones who show up every day, balancing responsibilities at work and home, making an impact in ways that don’t always make headlines. These women are the backbone of organisational success, yet their voices are often the quietest in the conversation.
Are we overlooking the real barriers?
By shining a spotlight solely on those who’ve “made it,” we risk overlooking the much larger number of women who feel stuck- held back by barriers that have nothing to do with competence, ambition, work ethic, or talent. The reality is, many women face real obstacles that make career progression feel like a distant dream:
● A lack of women mentors and sponsors: It’s a vicious circle. Women need mentors who understand their unique challenges and experiences, particularly those related to gender. However, because there are so few women in senior roles to provide this kind of guidance, many are left without the mentorship they need to navigate these obstacles effectively.
● Limited access to personal development: It’s not always about adding another qualification to your CV. Sometimes, it’s personal growth that’s needed to take the next steps in your career. Unfortunately, there are few development opportunities tailored to women outside of leadership roles. That’s why I’m so proud to work with Springboard Consultancy – our programmes offer high-quality personal development for ALL women, not just those at the top.
● The impact of stereotyping: Women often find themselves in an impossible double-bind where to be liked, we’re expected to be accommodating, agreeable, and compliant. But here’s the catch- this doesn’t help us stand out or be seen as competent. Instead, our hard work is just assumed, never truly recognised.
● The ever-present mental load: It’s not just about the tasks themselves- it’s the mental load of constantly having to plan- and not just for yourself, but for others too!
● The impact of intersectionality: For many women, the challenges they face don’t stop at gender. When you add factors like race, class, sexual orientation, or disability into the mix, it can feel like they’re dealing with multiple layers of discrimination. So, not only are they up against the barriers women face, but they’re also dealing with added layers of discrimination such as racism, ableism, and homophobia.
And then there are the subtler, everyday challenges. I’ve faced them myself.
My own experience of personal branding
For me, one of the biggest hurdles was navigating how I was perceived at work- that is, ensuring that my personal brand came through loud and clear. Part of this is how much I value humour – it’s a part of who I am, and I bring it into every space I work in. But I quickly noticed something: when men used humour, it was seen as confidence. When I did, it sometimes led to me being underestimated.
So, I tried a different approach – I dialed it down and became more serious. And guess what? Not only did I feel out of integrity, but suddenly, it was like I was less likeable and losing support from my peers. It felt like an impossible balancing act- one I don’t think men have to navigate in the same way. I eventually secured my first management position, but it was a hard-won battle, one that required me to sacrifice parts of myself to be taken seriously.
This Year, let’s do things differently!
At Instructus, we’re shifting the focus. This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating women at all levels – not just those in leadership. This isn’t just about the success stories, it’s about the good, the bad, and the ugly, including the barriers we still need to navigate.
As a woman, I absolutely want to hear about the women at the top of their game. But I also want to hear from the women who are making things happen behind the scenes, keeping the wheels turning, and showing up every day with dedication and talent. Because real progress happens when we see, support, and celebrate ALL women. Please feel free to get in touch with your stories!
Would you like to find out more about our women’s development programme?
To learn more about our popular work and personal development programme for women why not download our programme brochure below or attend one of our free discovery events where we take you through the programme and answer any questions you have.
