In my opinion, March is one of the best months of the year. When it rolls around, it brings the promise of spring, lighter evenings, milder weather, and the anticipation of the summer ahead. There’s also one thing that March always brings: International Women’s Day (8th March).
What is International Women’s Day?
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a time to celebrate the women in our lives and their amazing achievements. It allows us to think about how we can support others around us and help leave the world a better place than we found it.
As a female founder leading a predominantly female coaching pool, I am constantly in awe of how much the team not only juggles but excels in every single day. I am lucky to be surrounded by so many incredibly strong women who are supportive, resilient, determined, and motivated. It’s our jobs, as coaches, to help everyone shine in work and life, including women.
How can coaching help women at work?
Coaching allows women to overcome barriers, develop their leadership skills, and navigate the challenges they face in the workplace. It provides a safe and supportive space for women to explore their goals, strengths, and areas for growth.
If you want to inspire inclusion at work, ask these coaching-style questions.
If you’re looking to start creating a ‘coaching culture’ within your organisation and want to empower your female leaders, here are a few questions you can ask to open constructive dialogue:
1) What’s on your mind?
It’s a simple one but a great start. Instead of generic ‘how are you?’ questions, this opens a dialogue of trust and empowerment between you and your colleague.
2) How can I help you?
Again, it sounds easy, but this question provokes a reply beyond a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Your female colleagues can answer in ways they might not have felt comfortable before.
3) How would things change if you were to view things from a place of curiosity, instead of judgment?
Encouraging individuals to view things from a different vantage point or lens, can lead to a greater sense of empathy, understanding, and ultimately positive changes within your organisation. When differences are celebrated rather than judged it makes the workplace a better place to be.
I want to continue our mission to leave everyone better than we found them, so, this International Women’s Day, we’re encouraging everyone to start using coaching practices to help inspire inclusion.