Happy International Women's Day

This international women’s day I’m reflecting on the support and encouragement I’ve received along the way from the amazing women in my personal and professional network.

 Lock HR started almost three years ago with the kind words of a friend who encouraged me to setup my own consultancy after taking a redundancy. Without her, I don’t think I would have considered it as an option. I will forever be grateful for that fateful day discussing my next steps over sushi. Once I started considering it seriously as an option, it also helped that a close female friend had recently moved into consultancy and had plenty of words of encouragement.

 My brilliant predominantly female client base have been fantastic supporters who have actively referred me to others in their networks. Without that type of endorsement, I may not have continued to pursue this as my career path. A good friend recently referred me to her workplace and recommended my services to support their existing people and culture initiatives. To be such an advocate for me and my capability, to put her own brand and reputation on the line, it was not unnoticed and very much appreciated.

 The most recent example of support was an act of kindness that moved me to write this piece. Very recently I caught up with a client and some her team after the end of a long work week. To receive a text message from your client on a Saturday morning offering to debrief your week is just incredible. For her to notice that I was grappling with something and needed to talk it through, and then offer to support was like the best warm hug you can get. Remember, I’m the one who’s meant to coach her! After years of being part of various sized teams in internal roles, it can be extremely lonely in the consulting world. To have women like this amazing client and now friend in your corner makes you feel invincible.

 I feel so fortunate that the majority of my clients are female entrepreneurs who are doing amazing things in their respective fields. I’d love to say that it’s been by design, but it certainly wasn’t the case, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 Happy international women’s day to you all.

Keep uplifting one another, keep supporting one another.