holding the space

Leanne Hurrell, Head of UK Regional Public Sector, AWS

Holding the Space

The Women in Science group has been established as a safe space for women in leadership positions within a science/technical related role in the UK. This group provides an opportunity for its like-minded participants to share truthful common challenges, offer support and guidance for one another and the use of open communication channels to enable responsive and accessible contact. Externally, the group represents credible and successful role models who are keen to be the figureheads in challenging the status quo, promote professionalism and authenticity, share their experience and learnings and advocate the need to have women in positions of leadership and seniority across the board.

I’m Leanne Hurrell, Head of UK Regional Public Sector at Amazon Web Services, responsible for our Healthcare, Education, Not for Profit and Local Government businesses across the UK. As part of Amazon, we strive to be Earth’s most customer-centric company. We work backwards from our customers’ problems to provide them with cloud infrastructure that meets their needs, so they can reinvent continuously and push through barriers of what people thought was possible (and in my team’s case driving societal change for the good).

I have worked in both tech and telecommunications for many years, and throughout my career I’ve been encouraged via umpteen IDE programmes and initiatives to seek out like-minded women who can help, support and guide me. I had been brought up by two amazing role models (my Mum and Nan). They instilled into me that I could do anything I wanted and be good at it. However, my quest for supportive women (outside of my lovely family and friendship groups) in the professional context has always been a struggle. I often witnessed women seemingly being supportive to each other, but that only lasted whilst they were in the same room. The story changed when one was not in the room. It felt as though girl power was only really beneficial if you could be in every meeting, in every discussion and involved in every decision (which is obviously impossible).

When we were initially getting together as a group, the Women in Science gang talked through all the facets of being a woman in very apparent male dominated industries. We talked about some of the amazing male sponsors, and advocates we have all had, but struggled to give an extensive list of women who provided the same. This was quite a depressing revelation within our small group, but one we truly believe we can tackle head on and make small waves to change.

So why should women support women?

Ultimately, advocacy in the workplace involves actively supporting and promoting the interests of colleagues. When women advocate for one another, they amplify each other’s’ voices, ensuring that contributions are recognized and valued. This support can take various forms, from recommending a colleague for a promotion to ensuring their ideas aren’t overlooked in meetings. Being the voice and an ally of our fellow womankind is so very important, and it matters.

Mentorship and sponsorship are crucial components of professional growth. Mentors provide guidance and advice, helping women navigate their careers. Sponsors, however, take a more active role by using their influence to advocate for their protégés’ advancement. Women who serve as mentors and sponsors not only guide their peers but also help dismantle systemic barriers.

Holding the space means creating an environment where colleagues feel valued and respected, even in their absence. This concept extends beyond physical presence and involves maintaining the integrity and reputation of others. For instance, when a colleague’s idea is dismissed in a meeting, another woman can reiterate the point, giving credit to the original thinker. I can vividly recall a time I had suggested creating a specific campaign to drive greater engagement across Blue Light customers. Nothing seemed to come of it (despite lots of internal meetings and debate) until one day our female Marketing Manager came up to me after a Board Meeting to explain that not only had she pushed my idea forward, but had also secured budget for it and insisted I ran the campaign. It gave me a sense of both empowerment and confidence (in myself and in her).

There are some simple approaches that can help us create this advocacy in relatively simple ways:

1. Amplification: This strategy involves repeating and giving credit to a colleague’s idea during discussions. It ensures that the contribution is acknowledged and not overshadowed.

2. Vouching for Competence: Publicly recognizing a colleague’s skills and achievements can influence perceptions and create opportunities for advancement.

3. Championing for Opportunities: Recommending colleagues for projects, speaking engagements, or leadership roles can significantly impact their career trajectory.

4. Creating Networks: Forming supportive networks where women can share experiences, resources, and advice fosters a sense of community and collective growth.

When women support each other, the benefits extend beyond individual careers. A culture of advocacy and support contributes to a more equitable workplace, leading to diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. Women advocating for women and holding the space for one another is not just a professional strategy but a commitment to building a more inclusive and supportive work environment. By amplifying voices, recognising contributions, and creating opportunities, women can collectively dismantle barriers and pave the way for future generations. In doing so, they not only elevate each other but also contribute to a more dynamic and equitable workplace for all. This inclusive and supportive approach can also be adopted more widely outside of the workplace to achieve both societal benefits and advancements.

I do believe kindness is rewarded with kindness so I urge you all to take better care of each other, but especially when we aren’t together in the same room.

Leanne Hurrell, Head of UK Regional Public Sector, AWS