Many of the women who’d make great leaders, hold back because they don’t think they can. Developing the right mindset can give you the confidence to shoot for the stars.
Of your circle of friends, how many women do you know who are in a position of career leadership? Women who are at the top of the ladder, making key decisions, and managing their own businesses and staff?
The statistics show women are underrepresented in the top tiers of many companies and workplaces, making it more challenging for women to rise up. This is particularly true in some industries, especially science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM), and the media, or within Fortune 500, and FTSE 100 companies.
To put it into perspective:
- Only 6% of CEOs in the FTSE 100 are women.
- Male CEOs are earning 17% more than female CEOs
- In January 2021, there were 10 female Heads of State and 13 Heads of Government.
- At 34%, the UK is in 38thposition for the proportion of women serving in Government.
Whilst it’s not in everyone’s life plan to reach the coveted top spots, for some women they have a goal to climb to the top of their personal career ladder. Are you one of them? How easy is it to aim higher, where you are?
According to the Rose Review into female entrepreneurship, women tend to perceive we don’t have the right skills and experience to run a successful business, so we lack the confidence to start. This is heightened by the lack of enough mentors and role models in those top positions to inspire us, so it’s harder to envision ourselves in the top job. Which is why the question was asked at the beginning about whether you know of someone, personally.
Dig deep to confidently soar
So, this is a sad state of affairs for women in the UK, and it still seems much needs to be done to change the situation. But… this shouldn’t hold YOU back from achieving your own personal career goals! Having the confidence to achieve what you want to achieve is only half of the battle… developing a growth mindset will give you the confidence to walk in your purpose.
What is a growth mindset?
It’s the self-belief which determines how you think, act and behave. And it is something which can be cultivated – even if it hasn’t come naturally to you, to-date.
- It’s about believing you are good enough to do the job you’re pushing to do
- It’s about identifying what you can do, and taking steps to improve and expand what you know.
- It’s about rewriting your narrative, so you see challenges or failures as opportunities to learn and improve, rather than “a sign” you’re not good enough
- It’s about not being intimidated by feedback – both positive and negative – but sifting through to the truth of what you need to do to improve.
- It’s about recognising your weaknesses, and thinking about how to hire to fill those gaps, or outsourcing, where possible. Self-awareness means you don’t waste time and energy on numbers, when you’re better with words.
- Having an oversight understanding of all areas of running a business is beneficial – but if you don’t have the aptitude for sales, hire the best person who does!
Ultimately – it’s about having the mindset which says I CAN and I WILL.
But how does franchising fit into this?
We believe franchising is a powerful means to enable women to step into the roles they CAN do. Within the franchise industry, franchise owners have seized the day and used the system to help them reach their career goal.
If you’re determined to reach the top of the career ladder, you can’t go much higher than owning your own business. Franchising gives you the support and training to allow you to do so – often with reduced-risk, and lower overheads, than if you started out alone.
With over 900 brands in the UK, across all industries and sectors, the right franchise to suit you and your goals is within touching distance. Your franchisor will give you the tools, the training, the mentoring and the support to start your business, as well as to grow it.
The mindset you choose to adopt about whether you can, or not… well, only you can decide. But, as Henry Ford once said: “Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can’t, you’re right.
How can we help?
Take a look around both our website, and at the bfa website, to discover our member franchises. Research those you like the sound of, to find out what they offer, before making contact to speak to someone at the brand, about what they can help you achieve.
Alternatively, you could speak to one of our Mentors for a free 30 minute call about how franchising has worked for them and what you could expect.