070: The Power of Kindness in Leadership with Sheila Cameron

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Summary

In this episode, Sheila Cameron shares her journey in insurance, discussing her career path, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of work-life balance.

She emphasizes the need for clear boundaries and flexibility in the workplace, particularly for parents.

Sheila also addresses the issue of diversity in leadership roles and shares insights and statistics on the progress made so far vs work yet to be done.

This is a very honest conversation about leadership and diversity, giving incredible insights into what intentional leadership means for gender equality.

She emphasizes the need for leaders to create supportive environments for women, particularly during career dips and maternity.

Sheila and Sandra share practical and simple tips on how to create impactful change in your organisation to attract and retain diverse talent.

Ahead of Mother’s Day, Sheila ends the episode with a personal story, shared first time in the public domain, which may bring a tear to your eye, whilst also making you smile.

This is both an insightful and personal episode that is worth adding to your podcast playlist.

Takeaways

• Leadership programs should focus on systemic change rather than fixing women.
• Retention during career dips is vital for long-term success.
• Recognizing weaknesses in leadership is a strength, not a flaw.
• Paternity leave should be normalized and equally valued as maternity leave.
• The journey towards equality in leadership roles is ongoing. Leadership intent is crucial for fostering diversity and inclusion.
• Being a parent can enhance leadership qualities and perspectives.
• Setting clear boundaries and transparency are key aspects of making work-life balance a success
• Women are present in the talent pool but often not considered or attracted to the leadership roles.
• Kindness and high performance can coexist in effective leadership.
• A mindset shift is necessary to embrace both motherhood and career aspirations.

About the guest

Connect with Sheila Cameron.

About the Host

• Connect with Sandra on LinkedIn and explore more insights: Sandra’s LinkedIn
• Discover the 100 Women In Insurance Collective dedicated to connecting women in insurance: www.100womenininsurance.com/collective.