International Women's Day: Meet our Team Leigh Pratt
Why do you think it is important to celebrate IWD and what does it mean to you?
It is a time to reflect; to look back at what has been achieved, to celebrate where we are now and to look to the future for us and the younger generation that will follow. It is a snapshot of a day, where hopefully people can consider and focus on progression, balance, safety, attitudes and equality.
Have you faced any barriers in your career due to being a woman and how did you overcome them?
Yes I have but not overtly, it has been subtle but nevertheless frustrating. Many women will take prolonged time off for maternity leave. My experience is that you have to take a few steps back to get back on the saddle again – and you can of course, but have to work hard to catch up. I chose to work reduced hours 25 years ago with my first child – so the most significant time of my career has not been full time.
I’ve had lots of comments over the period implying that my commitment to my work could not be the same as someone working full time, and that ‘part timers’ are a bit lightweight. Particularly when climbing the ladder and managing or leading teams. My experience is that I have never worked so hard as I have with reduced hours; in reality you often end up doing the hours but for less. You have to be super organised and good at time management and make the most of every minute. You have to be confident in your own worth and make it work for yourself as well as the business – work smarter I say.
As the years have gone by, there has been a more modern approach to working practices and there has been more flexibility in that there are a number of connotations you can deliver good work, no matter where you sit or what time it is.
What changes would you like to see for the next generation?
More tolerance and acceptance that others can have a different opinion without it making them the enemy. The art of listening, really listening and hearing what others say is what I would like to see more of rather than I, which has come from the pressures of social media and the constant desire of so many to promote themselves and their opinions.
I can’t bear to think of the pressures our young people must be under from what they see and hear via social media. We need free thinking individuals to take on the baton.
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
'No one is better than you and you are not better than anyone else.’ I remember my Dad saying that to me as a young girl and it stuck. He had no time for status or rank in terms of how you dealt with people and how you expect to be dealt with yourself. Earning respect was very much his thing. It has made me not easily intimidated and to hold my own in any situation.
Share an empowerment moment that inspired you.
I have had a recent rewarding experience that reminded me of the value of resilience and tenacity. I fell into an overnight aggressive surgical menopause three years ago due to a cancer diagnosis and subsequent surgery. It has been a real game changer for me and turned life upside down particularly in the workplace.
I was shocked to find, despite lots of other good supporting policies, that there was nothing to help menopausal women, their manager and teams. It is such a significant issue that affects not just the woman but those around her and given that this is the fastest growing demographic in the workplace, I was surprised and frustrated that it was still a no go area. After much research I tried hard to engage to bring about change and get others to see the value of addressing menopause in the workplace; I knocked on a lot of doors over an 18 month period to no avail.
At the point of giving up, I reached out to a new recruit who was fulfilling a Head Of Wellbeing role, as a last attempt, and it just so happened I found someone who was interested and committed to helping women in the workplace, and just as importantly, those around her. Since then I have worked alongside this wonderful woman who has really listened and acted upon the information and research and together we have put in place a monthly menopause group which is growing constantly and I can see the value this is bringing to the individual and the organisation.
Other forums have been built from this too including developing guidance for line managers to equip them with the management tools to help the individual and also manage any work impact. To experience nothing and then something as a result of not giving up was a great reminder to keep fighting for what you believe is the right thing to do and it was a good thing to share with my boys too – that you can make change happen even though success may take some time and might not always make you the most popular. I am really happy that women in the future here will find support and guidance that is forever growing and developing – and that has to be good for organisational delivery too.
Can you tell me about a female role model who has inspired you over your career?
I have only just realised on being asked the question that I have not had one – in the work place. The Civil Service in the 1980's and 1990's had very few female leaders. However, I grew up with a very strong, vocal and bright Mum alongside Aunts with the same significant attributes; they worked as adults through the Second World War in tough jobs and were made of strong stuff even though none of them became professional women and they led the rest of their lives as housewives as was the tradition then.
They were very resilient women, resourceful with tenacity, my Mum was the strongest woman I knew. I think I took all of that into the workplace, probably subconsciously, but it has served me well. None of them are still here but they remain my heroines.
What are you most proud of in your career?
Progression I think, with hard work and graft. I started as a teenager in the Civil Service in the lowest grade there was and rose to the dizzy heights of CO Clerical Officer quickly, which showed me hard work and enthusiasm paid off. I had a wonderful and varied career there and spent a lot of time in London as a young girl, involved in lots of interesting high profile projects.
I left 25 years later, in a senior leadership role with a wealth of experience and knowledge. I have never stopped learning since and surprising myself. I work in a place now where I am surrounded by very talented people working in a high octane environment so the progression and learning never stops.
What was your dream career when you were a child?
I would love to say the first woman in space or a marine biologist but the truth is (as my family have reminded me often) was a ‘beer lady who wore high heels and make up’ translated as a barmaid as I was a very young fan of Bet Lynch and quite mesmerised by her (and she was no pushover). But…I did achieve my ambition fleetingly and how many can say that?! I think it is okay to be whoever you want to be.
Why do you think diversity in the workplace is so important?
We just have to acknowledge our differences and use them to enlighten others. Diversity in the workplace will hopefully spill outside and encourage a more tolerant society. Letting people be their own true selves can be wonderfully valuable to an organisation and it can only be a richer place because of it. It is win-win in my eyes; the confidence to be accepted as you are will bring confidence and security to shine in your work and deliver better and with a wider perspective. We always have a lot to learn from each other.