E9: Learning leadership from female role models
with international academic leader Dr Erica Hinckson
Key Takeways
I was a single mother, I was working full time and I was studying for my PhD at the same time. My colleagues were younger than me without children and couldn't see the struggles that I was facing. And other male members of our team also could not see it. And I ended up going into this spiral where I couldn't keep up with all those different roles.
I couldn't differentiate between what makes me happy versus my child's happiness or somebody else's happiness. What are the things that really make me happy? I learned to just stop and reassess my situation.
I was interested to see how other women in leadership positions managed their situations and themselves. So I had to break that cycle and develop myself particularly in personal leadership space.
I learned to have my days and weeks structured on a schedule that works for me but not to put unrealistic expectations on me. So my daily schedule incorporates exercise walks and weekends are free to enjoy the outdoors.
Once I became head of school, I said, this is very important for me to be able to make the right decisions for my school. I need to have that time to recharge. I do make sure that I do have the weekends free and I'm out and about.
Helen Clark talked a lot about the importance of investing time in people and relationships; sometimes that's more important that the actual work that you do. I always let my colleagues and students know that they matter. I focus on people's strengths and appreciating and acknowledging colleagues, always looking for a win-win situation.
I wanted to focus on leadership rather than being a leader. From my role as a head of school was to create a place where people feel accepted to encourage diversity in my team. Where people feel that they are part of a team and that they belong.
It was about ensuring that all voices were heard and people were given multiple and different opportunities to provide their input. I wanted conversations to be taking place informally as well. That makes a big difference to women because you're given alternative ways to provide input.
When I was the associate Dean for our faculty. I was not the loudest voice. I couldn't be the loudest voice and was often not given that opportunity to speak at first. I created my own method that was effective. I discovered that's what Jacinda Ardern, our current prime minister is doing as well. I was able to listen to the conversation. I would find maybe a hole or a gap in what the proposal the argument made. And then once people said what they had to say, I would come in at the end and I did have people's attention. I often spoke last and that was effective.
And another method that I used was to socialize a proposition before the meeting. I have seen other women try to come into that environment and they have not lasted they tried to replicate what was happening in that environment. They haven't utilized other strategies to be heard. It was a real shame because they could have contributed so much.
In New Zealand there is a standalone Ministry dedicated for women. They have three strategic outcomes to ensure the contribution of women and girls is valued 1) all women and girls are financially secure 2) can fully participate and thrive and 3) ensure women and girls are free from all forms of violence and harassment.
I've also learned about being comfortable in leading a group. You can start worrying about things, my accent and what I'm wearing and my hair, and you just need to be comfortable. Just be who you are and lead that group.
Jacinda Ardern has faced criticism over the years that she is not aggressive enough and not assertive and being herself is empathetic or weak. You can be both compassionate and strong.
It's about making the time to have conversations with people, seeing things from their perspective and looking at the environment. I ask questions because I want to know what's happening in their lives and their environments, because it might not necessarily be something that they're at fault.
One of the things that Helen Clark said, when you talk to people, create a genuine smile and you do that by thinking about what you like the best about that person, focus on their strengths. And that is just so important when you have that conversation to acknowledge and listen, and converse with people by having that genuine smile, showing that you care and that you want to hear what they have to say.
Bio
Born in London, raised as a Greek-Cypriot in Cyprus, and after finishing high-school I ventured to Los Angeles, California to meet my father of Guyanian origin. I completed my BSc at UCSD, MSc at University of Oregon, met a kiwi man and migrated to Auckland New Zealand in 1996 and have I been here ever since. I am Professor in Physical activity and urban environment and the Head of School of Sport and Recreation at the Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences at Auckland University of Technology. Previously I held the role of Associate Dean Postgraduate Research for the Faculty for six years. My program of research focuses on the science of behaviour, in particular, the patterns, causes and effects of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health in youth and adults, within the context of the built environment. The focus of my research shifted to Citizen Science, community participation, co-design in other words giving voice to communities about their places and spaces.
Links to Additional Resources
