Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Workplace

Julie Cafley

Executive Director, Catalyst Canada

Catalyst Canada works to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion which is no longer a nice-to-have, optional element in the workplace. It’s imperative.

Catalyst Canada works to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion which is no longer a nice-to-have, optional element in the workplace. It’s imperative. Employees, customers and communities expect and demand that organizations focus on inclusion. When they do, team innovation, problem-solving, and individual work engagement are likely to increase.

With the higher stakes for our companies and employees, how do we embrace equity to ensure that inclusive policies, practices, and programs stay at the top of today’s corporate agendas?

On International Women’s Day, we spoke to Catalyst Canada’s Executive Director, Julie Cafley, Ph.D., about how organizations can enhance workplace equity for women.

Why is International Women’s Day important? What does it mean to you?

Inclusion allows people to be their authentic selves. Catalyst research shows that only one-third of employees experience inclusive team dynamics at their companies. This proves our work is not nearly done.

Inclusion allows people to be their authentic selves. Catalyst research shows that only one-third of employees experience inclusive team dynamics at their companies. This proves our work is not nearly done.

Furthering my commitment to advancing gender equality, I am thrilled to be part of the Canadian delegation attending the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW67) this week, as selected by Women and Gender Equality Canada.

Where have you seen progress in gender equity in the workplace?

One major piece is harnessing men’s agency (their belief in their ability to make personal changes) as an essential resource for addressing gender inequity in the workplace. As sexism persists globally, men need to be a part of the solution. They hold positions of power. They can object more easily without backlash. Catalyst’s research across 12 countries shows that adverse workplace climates, such as a climate of silence, are a barrier to men interrupting sexism. When a workplace has an atmosphere of openness, where employees feel heard, men’s intent to directly interrupt sexism increases, which benefits everyone.

What are some ways—big and small—we can advance gender equity in the workplace?

Anyone can be an advocate for gender equity. Advocacy involves humble listening, learning from one another, reflecting, and exerting effort. An advocate learns daily as they help push for equity. These authentic discussions may be uncomfortable, and not all leaders are ready yet to welcome them. But when they create open and honest experience sharing, we gain knowledge and compassion.

At Catalyst, we celebrate International Women’s Day and beyond by lifting up stories about how inclusion thrives in the workplace. What does that look like for individual women? What does that look like for managers? We know that each person’s lived experience is unique, and we want to show all the ways that inclusion shows up in the workplace. We’re sharing those stories on social media using #InclusionThrives.

How does inclusive culture benefit workplaces and women?

Team-based and collaborative work will remain the foundation of successful organizations. Inclusive teams help cultivate our differences while striving together. Catalyst research has found that three norms (defined as shared expectations for team members’ behaviour) characterize inclusive teams: promoting expressions of difference, fostering a group coaching climate, and ensuring fair team decision-making processes. These norms reinforce team members’ ability to bring their whole selves to work, be real with one another, and turn to one another for support. There is a solid link to retention when people’s values align with their organizations, so why wouldn’t we want to do this?

What would you like to see become the norm in future workplaces?

For all leaders to lead with authenticity and empathy. Empathy is a force for productivity, life-work integration, and positive work experiences. Catalyst research in this area shows that empathy boosts productivity – employees with empathic managers and leaders are more innovative and engaged in their work than employees with less empathic managers and leaders. This would be a future at work that we could all embrace

Visit www.catalyst.org/inclusionthrives to learn more about Catalyst and how you can help make workplaces work for women.