IMPACT: An introduction to the fourth i
Seizing opportunity
Katie, a senior executive in retail, works in an organisation where there are a lot of politics. This is not uncommon. It hasn’t been easy for her but she has a cause that she is passionate about – and that cause is gender equality at work
For some time Katie felt frustrated. She had hoped and believed that the change she wanted would be led by the organisation. The time had surely come! But after some powerful feedforward from colleagues she realised that it was up to her to seize the opportunity and make it her responsibility to create awareness and action around this most fundamental of issues. So Katie, inspired by possibility, and backed by a growing number of colleagues, staked her personal reputation on speaking, writing and engaging people in her vision.
Opportunities require courage…
This was a huge step for her and it took real courage. But because she is passionate and visionary Katie took her first step and ignited the enthusiasm of hundreds of colleagues.
Just six months after starting her campaign Katie saw tangible results. The topic was on the boardroom agenda. Managers had the issue at the forefront of their minds and, best of all, more women were being appointed across the organisation into senior jobs. As Katie reflected, ‘looking back it seems astonishing that it took us so long to seize an opportunity that affected so many people’.
The message here is a simple one. Don’t wait for others to lead the change you want to see. Seize the opportunity to make a difference. Look for people who want to join up with you and speak up.