Fixing broken rungs, growing strong poppies and being the somebody

The Enterprising Women committee structured a packed day of conversation around the theme ‘inspiring inclusion’, exploring career empowerment for women through every life stage, as a centrepiece for International Women’s Day 2024 at Enterprise Mobility in Egham.

The headline speaker and special guest was Helen Tomlinson, the Government’s Menopause Employment Champion and Head of Talent Development at global recruiting specialist The Adecco Group. 

In conversation with Leigh Lafever-Ayer, Enterprise Mobility’s HR Director UK & Ireland, Helen shared personal insights from her experience of working with candidates and her own career. 

“Knowing how to make your voice heard manages that ‘imposter’ voice”

LEIGH: We’re thinking about equity and how we can help fix that "broken rung" that can stop women taking those first key steps into managerial roles. What are some of the ways that you’re seeing that begin to work better?

HELEN: We think about how we can reinforce all the rungs all the way up and how everyone can play a part, through coaching, mentoring and sponsorship programmes.

We also challenge assumptions around career progression. Looking at our criteria for senior leader progression, one was that people should be able to move globally. That’s not always possible when you’ve had a family, and with technology anyone can take a meeting from anywhere. 

LEIGH: What advice do you give to women about progressing more confidently into those management roles?

HELEN: We talk about imposter syndrome, which affects women more, and building expertise so you know how you can bring value to a team or a project even when you may not know everything. Knowing how to make your voice heard manages that ‘imposter’ voice.

I’ve always valued the idea of doing two roles at the same level before jumping to the next career rung. It avoids people becoming ‘tall poppies’, with deep knowledge in one part of the business but very little understanding of other parts. Again that fosters confidence.

“I became interested in women’s health issues in later life. We knew we needed a better policy and to move beyond policy into action”

LEIGH: How did you move to become involved in menopause awareness?

HELEN: We were dividing up roles in our diversity, equity and inclusion committees and I became interested in women’s health issues in later life. We knew we needed a better policy and to move beyond policy into action. We trained people, fostered conversation, talked about creating a better environment for women having menopause experiences.

From there I took the conversation to our customers and other businesses. I kept asking: do you have a menopause policy? And if they didn’t, I’d talk about what we’d done and they’d ask me to help.

LEIGH: Is that when government asked you to help at a much bigger level?

HELEN: I got a call from the Department for Work and Pensions. They were looking for someone for the Menopause Employment Champion role. I thought they wanted help recruiting someone which is why they were speaking to Adecco Group. I asked questions on the experience, skills, competencies, job description, taking loads of notes.

Then they asked: what did I think? And I said, it sounds like a great role. And they said, well, would you like it? Finally, the penny dropped! It was the imposter syndrome again, I couldn’t believe they would think I was the best person for the job. But I took it on and it’s been a fantastic year.

“It’s everyone’s job to inspire inclusion, we can each be part of bringing about change”

LEIGH: Has it been what you expected?

HELEN: I love my role as Menopause Employment Champion. It’s been a very busy year, and of course, there were surprises along the way. I discovered that I would need to devise a plan within the first few months, which became the No Time To Step Back action plan. Then they said I would need to publish an annual report, which is being published today, to mark International Women’s Day, Shattering The Silence.

LEIGH: It’s great to know that this conversation around creating workplaces where women can thrive through menopause is being had at such a high level. Thank you for taking on this role alongside all your other responsibilities.

To conclude, what are your final thoughts around that idea of inspiring inclusion?

HELEN: The actor Lily Tomlin has a great quote around the idea of responsibility and ownership. It’s everyone’s job to inspire inclusion.

She once said about change, “I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realised I was somebody.” We’re each somebody, we can each be part of bringing about change. 

LEIGH: On that truly inspiring note, Helen, thank you so much for joining us today.

If you are interested in a career with Enterprise Mobility, please visit our recruitment website at careers.enterprise.co.uk or at careers.enterprise.ie