NZ ‘needs more women chief executives’
New Zealand is lacking female leadership in chief executive roles, businesswoman and entrepreneur Helen Robinson says.
This is because women are bypassing the chief executive position and going to senior leadership and governance roles, says Robinson, the winner of the supreme award at the 2016 Women of Influence awards
Nominations are about to open for the 2017 awards.
‘‘The role of a chief executive is quite different to other senior leadership or directorship roles, you learn a lot from being a chief executive and it can be quite isolating because you’re kind of this conduit between the board and the organisation, but our country needs more women CEOS,’’ Robinson says.
‘‘Potentially a lack of confidence means women think they’re not good enough and look for directorships instead because boards are always trying to ensure women are in the mix.’’
Robinson says the inclusion of women in chief executive succession plans could also make a difference.
The former chief executive of Microsoft New Zealand has a rich executive and governance career, ranging from chairing the Network for Learning to setting up social enterprise Organic Initiative. Robinson is also a director for Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development.
Robinson says she has always been a multi-tasker, from leading a number of sports teams and extra curricular activities at school to heading several projects for big organisations.
‘‘I’ve always been one who likes lots to do and have very diverse roles that hopefully have impact.’’
She says all the roles and organisations she has been a part of have reflected her business philosophy, ‘‘do good at mass scale’’.
Robinson also chairs Network for Learning (N4L) a crown company connecting every New Zealand school to a managed network and related content and services.
She says being recognised as the supreme woman of influence for 2016 ‘‘felt amazing’’.
‘‘We have so many incredible women in New Zealand so I was taken aback when it was announced.’’
Robinson said her biggest inspiration has been her mother.
‘‘She’s the most intelligent woman I know, she got married young and had six kids very quickly. But in her 40s she still did a BA and MA in ancient history.’’
Her colleagues and team also inspire her.
‘‘The older you get the more you realise how much you have to
"The older you get the more you realise how much you have to learn. You learn from every person and organisation you touch or get involved with." Helen Robinson
learn. You learn from every person and organisation you touch or get involved with.’’
She says two key features every leader needs are knowing how to deal with ambiguity, and being self-aware.
‘‘Generally women have the ability to manage ambiguity because they think broadly. But being self-aware is also important because if you know your strengths and weaknesses, you can accommodate for anything and have the most complementary team.’’
Diversity is also important for businesses to flourish.
She advises young businesswomen to build networks within their workplace but also find external groups and support to build their confidence on raising issues like negotiating pay, or taking on a promotion.
‘‘Listen and learn, go to lunch, go to drinks after work. Have some great work relationships. Surround yourself with people in your workplace and you will very quickly learn that you’re not alone, and that everybody is the same and is in this together.’’
Entries and nominations for the 2017 Women of Influence Awards are open from April 11 to May 28, 2017.