No More Hiding Gemma Stow

How can you be an ambitious woman and committed mother?
 
#Takeaways
The importance of solidarity when you are a mum and ambitious woman Times are changing - you can still be professional and have the kids around Finding like minded groups and keep networking Asking for help is a strength   
Today’s episode welcomes an awesome woman who I am also super grateful to be able to call a great friend.  Claire Harrison is a successful multi-site leisure owner with over 20 years senior and board level experience.
Claire currently owns and operates one of London’s leading swim schools offering private lessons in some of London’s most exclusive areas and has just secured a six-figure investment to open a “game changing’ family lifestyle, sports and leisure club in London. One of 7 clubs in the planning over the next 5 years.
Claire has held advisory roles for public and private swimming lesson services, council best practice provision and school sports partnerships and she regularly writes articles for industry, trade and public press.
But as Claire always says, her most important, challenging and rewarding job is being Mum to Sam (7) and Eva (4).
And this is what we are chatting about today - being an ambitious woman and being a mum.  It is not an easy ride with lots of ups and downs which I am sure many of you can relate to - listen in to hear Claire share some of her own experiences and how this has resulted in this game changing club that at its heart really knows what parents and families need to make the most out of work and play.
** This episode was recorded before we knew the extent to which the Covid19 pandemic would have on all industries including construction.  The first Club will be opening its door in early 2021 with lots of exciting pre launch events happening at the end of this year.  You can get all the latest info using the sign up link below and go follow them on social media at Get Set Go. **



“As a parent you are constantly guilty - am I missing out, am I giving them enough attention and there’s a desire to make sure they are constantly busy and you let yourself suffer because of that" - Claire
 
“I get strength in the fact that my children see me working really hard and I wanted to give parents and families this opportunity to be together” - Claire
 
“There’s nothing more powerful than solidarity” - Gemma
 
“As a business owner and you’ve got a brand new baby it’s really hard” - Claire
 
“When you try and do things and multitask things can go wrong and spread yourself too thin and don’t think you are doing well in any area” - Gemma
 
“You are stronger than you think and more resilient than you think” - Claire
 
#Resources
 
“5 Steps to being more visible at work” one page guide mentioned in the episode - get yours here:  
https://www.gemmastow.com/5-ways-to-be-more-visible-at-work
 
Get the White Paper ‘Visibility at Work: The Importance of Self Promotion for Women’s Career Progression:  
https://bit.ly/WP2020podcast
 
Book a call with Gemma:  
http://bit.ly/CallGemmaPodcast
 
More info about the 1-1 No More Hiding 12 month Coaching Programme:  
https://bit.ly/NMH12Pod
 
Connect with your host Gemma Stow:
Website: https://www.gemmastow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmastow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gemmastow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgemmastow/
 
Connect with Claire and find out more about Get Set Go:
Website: https://get-set-go.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-harrison-a34b1224/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getsetgolondon/

Why you need to think about personal branding.
#Takeaways
Get clear on what personal branding will do for you? Your personal brand can be vital to you professionally Take the Quiz - are you using your personal brand? What you can do next to raise your profile and visibility  
In today's episode we are looking at the importance of personal branding to career progression especially in today's workplaces.
Your personal brand can be vital to you professionally.  If you are the type of woman who is ambitious, wants to drive change, push her career forward and reach new heights then your personal brand is everything.  It will make all the difference to where you get to in the work you do.
Are you using your personal brand?  Take the mini test - how many 'yes' answers do you get?  See what you need to do next?
 
"We want to be noticed but don't want to tell people about what we do. And this dissonance keeps us stuck." - Gemma
 
"BUT the difference between letting it happen organically and doing it on purpose and then using it to your advantage is HUGE." - Gemma
 
"Ultimately women want to belong and it feels like we are stepping outside the circle when we start to promote ourselves." - Gemma
 
"I truly believe that the lack of self promotion is one of the factors that holds women back and results in a bigger gender pay gap and inequalities in workplaces and at home." - Gemma
 
"Women can struggle if they have forgotten who they really are and what matters to them - getting older, doing different jobs and growing a family can all impact on how we see ourselves and this is important to think about when building a personal brand." - Gemma
 
#Resources
 
“5 Steps to being more visible at work” one page guide mentioned in the episode - get yours here:  
https://www.gemmastow.com/5-ways-to-be-more-visible-at-work
 
Get the White Paper ‘Visibility at Work: The Importance of Self Promotion for Women’s Career Progression:  
https://bit.ly/WP2020podcast
 
Book a call with Gemma:  
http://bit.ly/CallGemmaPodcast
 
More info about the 1-1 No More Hiding 12 month Coaching Programme:  
https://bit.ly/NMH12Pod
 
Connect with your host Gemma Stow:
Website: https://www.gemmastow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmastow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gemmastow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgemmastow/
#nomorehiding #leadership #selfpromotion #femaleleaders #leadershipdevelopment #visibilitymatters #personalbranding

Why networking is important even if you avoid it?
#Takeaways
 
Why your personality shouldn’t stop you networking Have a network even if you are happy in your current job Your contacts get you the opportunities you might never hear about Build friendships and have advocates Take the pressure of yourself when networking focus on the value you bring Build a habit around building your network  
 
In today's episode I have one of the best networkers I have ever met and honoured to call this awesome guy a great friend and ally.
Andy Storch is a Talent Development Consultant, Coach, Author, Speaker and Connector. He is the host of two podcasts including The Talent Development Hot Seat and The Andy Storch Show as well as the founder and host of the Talent Development Think Tank conference and community and the Talent Development Virtual Summit. 
 
Andy is passionate about helping people fulfill their true potential and his upcoming book, Own Your Career Own Your Life, is designed to help corporate employees stop drifting and take control of their futures. 
 
Most importantly, Andy is a husband, father and friend who is on a mission to get the absolute most out of life and inspire others to do the same. 
 
“Networking is like the cornerstone of visibility” - Gemma
“In 2005 I went to business school and read a book all about networking called Never Eat Alone” - Andy
“ There's a difference between liking being around people and knowing what to say around people’ - Andy
“Every job opportunity and every business opportunity has come from my network and come from relationships” - Andy
“Replace the world networking with connecting it feels so different” - Gemma
“I’m always looking for friends first” - Andy
“I personally think it is easier more than ever to be intentional about who you network with at in a company” - Andy
“Lead with curiosity don't put too much pressure on yourself to entertain of tell other people interesting things instead, start with asking questions about them” - Andy
 
#Resources
 
 
“5 Steps to being more visible at work” one page guide mentioned in the episode - get yours here: https://www.gemmastow.com/5-ways-to-be-more-visible-at-work
 
 
Get the White Paper ‘Visibility at Work: The Importance of Self Promotion for Women’s Career Progression: https://bit.ly/WP2020podcast
 
Book a call with Gemma: http://bit.ly/CallGemmaPodcast
 
 
More info about the 1-1 No More Hiding 12 month Coaching Programme: https://bit.ly/NMH12Pod
 
Connect with your host Gemma Stow:
Website: https://www.gemmastow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmastow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gemmastow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgemmastow/
 
Connect with Andy:
Top 5 Career Mistakes - mentioned in the episode get it here > http://ownyourcareerownyourlife.com/mistakes
Podcasts and conferences: 
Talent Development Hot Seat
Andy Storch Show
Talent Development Think Tank Community
Talent Development Virtual Summit
 
Social Media handles:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andystorch/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andy_storch
Twitter: @andystorch
 
#nomorehiding #leadership #selfpromotion #femaleleaders #leadershipdevelopment #visibilitymatters #personalbranding
 

How can visibility help when you face redundancy or re applying for your role?
 
#Takeaways
 
That you are not alone when it comes to facing redundancy or re- applying for your role. Seeing opportunity even in the darkest times can really help. It is even more important to be able to own your expertise so you can sell yourself. Pay attention to the ‘downplays’ you start creating about yourself preventing you from going for it. Remind yourself in a practical way of all the things you have already accomplished and your strengths. The power of finding something outside of work that will challenge just you Eg Running proving to yourself you can do what you think is impossible.  
 
I want to be open and transparent the main reason I have been drawn to do this episode is because I am seeing more and more women being put in a position where they are facing redundancies in their organisations and they have been told to re apply for their own job or apply for a promotion to be able to stay on at the company. 
 
I know this means that some women are going head to head with their own line managers and I also know that for the majority of women they will already be talking themselves out of it.  Convincing themselves that because they are (let’s insert the downplay here such as part time, a mother, new to the company, not as qualified as everyone else, shy, not outspoken, not in with the in crowd) that they won't possible get it, so why bother applying and just face facts that they will be out of a job soon.
 
I hope you are listening to this and not having to face a tough situation regarding redundancy or reapplying for your own job, but if you are or you know others that are, then please keep the faith and remind yourself that there is often something brighter around the corner.  Get in touch with me if you are looking for some support to step into your power and play bigger.  I can help you own your expertise and get noticed so that you can be recognised and rewarded for just how fab you really are.  No More Hiding. Time to shine.
#Resources
 
 
“5 Steps to being more visible at work” one page guide mentioned in the episode - get yours here:  
https://www.gemmastow.com/5-ways-to-be-more-visible-at-work
 
 
Get the White Paper ‘Visibility at Work: The Importance of Self Promotion for Women’s Career Progression:  
https://bit.ly/WP2020podcast
 
 
Book a call with Gemma:  
 http://bit.ly/CallGemmaPodcast
 
 
More info about the 1-1 No More Hiding 12 month Coaching Programme:  
https://bit.ly/NMH12Pod
 
Connect with your host Gemma Stow:
Website: https://www.gemmastow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmastow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gemmastow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgemmastow/



#nomorehiding #leadership #selfpromotion #femaleleaders #leadershipdevelopment #visibilitymatters #personalbranding

Why you need to start sharing your ideas in meetings
#Takeaways
 
When you have new ideas - speak up your views count. Knowing what motivates you in the work you do really matters. Owning your own ideas so others don't get the credit The importance of having different people in the room because they think differently from others Being bold and following up with your ideas leads to opportunities. Recognising that another level can bring new self doubts it doesn't mean you can't do the work - it's a new challenge You need to see in yourself what others see in you Don’t be intimidated by a job role / position see them as normal people  
In today's episode I have an amazing woman who is not only an inspiration and support to me but is a great friend as you can tell from the chat we have in this episode.  We started our careers together as probation officers many moons ago and have stayed in touch ever since.  It’s fair to say we care about the same things in work and life.
Lucy Ives is the Quality and Effective Practice Manager for HMPPS (Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service). She trained to become a Probation Officer in 2004 and has spent her career working in criminal justice. Her role involves managing projects of national priority and supporting operational staff.
We are chatting about how important it is to own your own ideas and make them heard.  We chat a lot about speaking up in meetings but doing this in your own way and finding your own motivation for it - Lucy used to avoid speaking up and would rather share her ideas afterwards only for others to take the credit.  One day she did it and hasn't looked back because of the opportunities it created - listen in and let me know what you can take away from this fab conversation.  Time to be seen and heard.
 
“For some women they hate that feeling of having to speak up in meetings” - Gemma
“For a long time in my career I used to have in my head that I think we should do this but I wouldn’t say it and you would have had to set fire to the chair to get me to speak!’ - Lucy
“ You had all the heads in the meeting and to me they were frightening people and she said think about the amount of money that is around this table and if you don't tell them what they need to hear it’s just a waste of time and money for everyone and it gave me the motivation to speak up” - Lucy
“I always leave these meetings things I probably rambled on like an idiot” - Lucy
“I used to tell myself that someone else must know this and it can't be just me that's worked this out?” - Lucy
“I found it hard to credit myself with my own success I always credited it to other people” - Lucy
“It’s a great quality to have to say ‘we did this and we did that’ but there's always a time that you will lose out by not recognising what you have done and owning your expertise” - Gemma
“I’ll always be proud that I decided to say something rather than not more for the fact that it will eventually help people in their job and it got me the job I am doing now...If I hadn't spoke up it would never had happened” - Lucy
“Confidence in yourself is not constant … and sometimes you need to get your mojo back” - Lucy
 
#Resources
 
“5 Steps to being more visible at work” one page guide mentioned in the episode - get yours here:  
https://www.gemmastow.com/5-ways-to-be-more-visible-at-work
 
 
Get the White Paper ‘Visibility at Work: The Importance of Self Promotion for Women’s Career Progression:  
https://bit.ly/WP2020podcast
 
 
Book a call with Gemma:  
 http://bit.ly/CallGemmaPodcast
 
 
More info about the 1-1 No More Hiding 12 month Coaching Programme:  
https://bit.ly/NMH12Pod
 
Connect with your host Gemma Stow:
Website: https://www.gemmastow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmastow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gemmastow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgem

When they tell you not to be too pushy?
#Takeaways
Labels have the biggest impact on how women see themselves Women censor themselves if they are labelled in negative ways Research shows that successful female leaders are not as ‘likeable’ as their male counterparts Double standards are still going unchallenged in the workplace The importance of recognising our own judgements and labelling of others Even if the world is not quite ready for you - that doesn't mean you aren't ready for the world.  
Today we are talking about those double standards that still happen in the workplace - you know the ones where men are seen as assertive and women are often labeled as bossy, pushy or aggressive for the same behaviour. 
The impact of these labels can lead women to censoring themselves and not be who they truly are at work and this ultimately impacts on their performance never mind their visibility.  Women have so much to bring including those power skills and all are needed around that decision making table.
 
#Resources
 “5 Steps to being more visible at work” one page guide mentioned in the episode - get yours here:
https://www.gemmastow.com/5-ways-to-be-more-visible-at-work
 
Get the White Paper ‘Visibility at Work: The Importance of Self Promotion for Women’s Career Progression:  
https://bit.ly/WP2020podcast
 
Book a call with Gemma:  
 http://bit.ly/CallGemmaPodcast
 
More info about the 1-1 No More Hiding 12 month Coaching Programme:  
https://bit.ly/NMH12Pod
 
Connect with your host Gemma Stow:
Website: https://www.gemmastow.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmastow/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gemmastow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamgemmastow/



#nomorehiding #leadership #selfpromotion #femaleleaders #leadershipdevelopment #visibilitymatters #personalbranding