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Welcome to the final article in the Astrea Policy Team’s ‘Revisiting our Inspirational Female Line Managers’ series.
We’re back again to finish our conversation with three of our nominated Inspirational Female Line Managers (IFLMs): Hannah Biggs, Senior Sustainability Manager, Sustainable UCL, Rhiannon Williams, Senior Campaign Relations Manager, Internal Engagement, UCL Advancement and Weronika Benning, Business Development Manager, UCL Careers. This month’s focus is work-life balance and how line managers can support themselves, and their team members, in their role.
If you missed the first two installations of this conversation, they can both be read on the Astrea News website. The first article introduces our IFLMs and discusses what inspires them. The second addresses the challenges of leadership, management, and EDI.
Find out more about the Astrea Celebrates Inspirational Female Line Managers campaign.
(Astrea) What support did you receive as a line manager and leader at UCL?
(H) Leadership programmes explain how to lead, though actually gaining skills for managing people through specific management training is sparse. Sometimes, policies or guidance documents are different across departments, or are interpreted differently, which is difficult. It would be great to have more detail on policy around UCL recruitment, in terms of EDI and recruiting fairly.
(W) It can be very difficult when you step into your first management role and it might feel a bit like being thrown into the deep end. I did a lot of learning on my feet, which was great, as it took me a long time to get onto any training courses. Self-awareness and listening skills will help enormously, and remember that you can gain a lot from peer support and informal mentoring.
(R) I completed an online management course, which was a really helpful starting point, but it would have been valuable to have been able to put the learning into practice. In addition to management or leadership courses, I think that everyone everywhere could benefit from active listening training. It is a skill we need as leaders, colleagues and in our personal lives too.
(Astrea) What would you like to see implemented to further support women in the workplace?
(W) Mentoring is very powerful, but I appreciate it is not easy to set-up or run. I think it’s important to see an objective viewpoint from someone who has been there and can build your confidence – this can be a barrier to women’s career journeys.
(H) There are many women-only courses available, but it is crucial to consider intersectionality to ensure our environment is inclusive for everyone. Additionally, it would be beneficial for everyone to gain a better understanding of UCL’s governance system and learn how to effectively implement change through policies and strategies, thereby sharing implicit and often invisible knowledge.
(H) Your ability to manage the workplace environment in relation to the requirements of your staff and the new hybrid working arrangements is a challenge, for example, related to avoiding burnout and setting boundaries.
(Astrea) Can you think of any inspirational female leaders (fictional, historical, or real) who inspire you?
(R.) Amy Poehler’s character, Leslie Knope, on Parks and Recreation – passionate, enthusiastic, and such a leader, but also flawed, as we all are in different ways.
(W) Lisa Simpson!
(H) Christiana Figueres and Mikaela Loach – supporting the fight for climate justice.
Recommended reading and resources chosen by our IFLMs and the Astrea Policy team:
(W) The podcast You’re Wrong About often focuses on women who have been mistreated by history. Inspirational, but also very funny.
(H) Mary Robinson’s book Climate Justice: A man-made problem with a feminist solution.
(Hannah Kahn, Astrea Committee) - The History Chicks podcast by Beckett Graham and Susan Vollenweider.
Finally, a big thank you to all our fabulous Inspirational Female Line Managers for their time and wisdom, and for taking part in this series.