Page 26 - Gi flipbook March 2018

“WOMEN IN

ENERGY IS

A WIN-WIN”

Emma Mayhew, Investment Assurance
Manager for National Grid Gas Transmission,
travelled to the Leadership Conference for
Women in Energy, joining Europe’s most
successful female leaders in energy as they
shared their strategies for growing one’s
career in a male-dominated industry
I learnings from the event, I don’t think
Reflecting on key messages and
am an ex-apprentice with
(almost) 20 years’ experience in
the energy industry. In all that
there are any that are truly for
time, the Leadership Conference
‘women only’. The difference for me,
for Women in Energy is the first
inspiring, was that I was hearing it
event I have attended in my industry and one of the reasons it was so
with women as the primary focus. I from people who I could see some of
attended the event because the myself in, and therefore could relate
topics on the agenda aligned with my to more. There were so many great
personal development plan and it and inspiring speakers at the event
was a chance to hear the experiences that it’s been hard to pick the main
of people with other backgrounds points to write about.
and experiences, and from other Several of the speakers throughout
companies. I saw this as an the two days shared facts and figures
opportunity to challenge my own for the energy industry and businesses
perspective and learn from the more generally. There is evidence that around confidence and self-worth
experiences of others to grow and there exists an economic benefit to which had the most impact, as I have
further develop my career. I relished having a more diverse business, and a struggled with both. It was powerful
the thought of this. However, I did more diverse leadership team. It to see successful women on stage
not expect to walk away from the doesn’t just make sense, it makes showing vulnerability while talking
event with a reignited fire inside me good business sense. As one speaker about confidence, and having to fake
that I hadn’t realised had faded. I am said: “Gender equality is a win-win confidence at various times in their
inspired, full of enthusiasm with hope situation and not a zero-sum game.” careers. Looking at the reactions in
for the future. From John Pettigrew’s opening the room, and speaking with other
During the event and in the days speech, to the last session on delegates afterwards, I don’t think I
afterwards, I thought about the journey resource groups, there was a common was the only one who related to
I have taken within National Grid, and theme of authenticity – or being your this. And it doesn’t detract from
now in the gas transmission side of the authentic self. Speaking to some of the message of being authentic –
business. I’ve worked with so few my colleagues who also attended, we you are still being yourself, you are
women, and until recently haven’t each found different elements of this just carrying yourself with a little
worked for a woman (albeit for a few topic important to us depending on more confidence.
months a couple of years ago). I haven’t our backgrounds and experiences. If I am being honest, I was
had a woman’s perspective on career Regardless of the personal messages concerned how the men’s panel would
development at more senior levels. we took away, it all came back to go, but I shouldn’t have worried. It was
Hearing other women’s stories, I being yourself. Trying to be who you enlightening to hear their perspective.
realised I was not alone. It seems odd think someone wants you to be, and The irony of the men’s panel finding it
to say that, but I’ve never really trying hard to stand out is not intimidating to walk into a room as
considered or discussed a woman’s necessarily a route to success. the minority gender was not lost on
perspective before. For me, it was the discussion any of us. It was interesting to hear

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