From Your Seat to the Board

Bryony Williams

You are a Woman desperate to figure out exactly what is getting in the way of your progression, why do your male peers always seem to get promoted before you? Get ready to be inspired and amused. I am an HR professional that's going on record. Hear the women I interview on route to a Board seat, sitting on a Board or chasing it through failure, struggle and success and how they have navigated power, male dominance and glass ceilings. I am obsessed with the lack of women on Boards, can you be ambitious AND a woman? Yes. So what's stopping us? I hope you are listening. Take your seat. read less
BusinessBusiness

Episodes

Maverick Mum: Balancing Work & Guilt
27-04-2024
Maverick Mum: Balancing Work & Guilt
Welcome to the latest episode of From Your Seat to the Board, in this episode we talk to Maverick Mum Prartharna Rao on balancing Work & Guilt to lead a fulfilling career as a mum. In this episode, we delve into the challenges, glass ceilings, and various obstacles that often hinder women, and specifically mums, from pursuing board seats.  Our special guest, Prartharna, is a trailblazing mum entrepreneur who was forced into pivoting her professional journey. Prartharna shares invaluable tips and insights on how to strike a delicate balance between work and being a mum and letting go of "that" guilt, paving the way for personal growth and professional advancement.  Prartharna highlights the pressing need for diversity within the workforce and discusses the transformative power it holds for organisations. Join us as we engage in an enlightening conversation that aims to inspire, empower, and encourage you to seek help if you need it, pour love into YOU and reach your full potential in life, at home and maybe... in the boardroom. Listen in Mummas - this woman will leave you feeling empowered and ready to book her group space! Music of choice: Beyonce, Dangerously in Love (with me!) Book of choice: Make It Happen, Jordanna Levin Find Prarthana: https://www.instagram.com/prarthanatter/ Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: https://theglassfemale.com/podcast/  This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
Who Did You Sleep With To Get Here?
13-04-2024
Who Did You Sleep With To Get Here?
Welcome to another episode of From Your Seat to Your Board, where we bring you inspiring stories of individuals who have climbed the ladder of success and smashed the glass ceiling. In this episode, we have a special guest, Kayleigh Graham, who is the Head of Growth & Partnerships for Telleroo, Kayleigh is a columnist, a culture pioneer and a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) speaker. Kayleigh joined NatWest as a young apprentice and climbed the dizzy heights to Corporate banking very quickly. Challenged along the way for her age and assertive style, she has not only overcome adversity but she has also fast-tracked herself to success, all while refusing to entertain imposter syndrome. Get ready to gain valuable insights as Kayleigh shares her journey and the strategies that have propelled her to where she is today. - and what happened, when she was asked - who did you sleep with to get here. I can't wait to share Kayleigh's story with you as we discuss how she navigated through these obstacles and used them as stepping stones to grow personally and professionally. Listen in to her experience with collecting evidence as Kayleigh shares practical tips and techniques to silence self-doubt and build self-confidence. This episode is not to be missed as Kayleigh shares her thoughts on how individuals can create their own opportunities and pave their way to the boardroom. I hope you find inspiration and valuable insights from Kayleigh, I certainly did! Music of choice: Kayleigh, Marillion Book of choice: Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg Find Kayleigh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayleighgraham/?originalSubdomain=uk ⁠ Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: https://theglassfemale.com/podcast/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
Being Yourself: The Smart Girl Way
29-03-2024
Being Yourself: The Smart Girl Way
Welcome to an empowering episode of From Your Seat to the Board, where we have the privilege of sitting down with Scarlett V Clark, a remarkable female empowerment expert who has triumphed over various forms of bias to establish her thriving business. Scarlett is not only intelligent, but she radiates positivity and openness as she shares her journey of perseverance, self-care, and the relentless hustle required to build an empire. In this captivating interview, we delve into Scarlett's inspiring story, uncovering the challenges she faced and the strategies she employed to overcome them. She fearlessly embraces her individuality and imparts valuable tips on how to stay true to oneself while navigating the path to success. Her authenticity and resilience make her a truly special individual, and her story is a testament to the power of self-belief and determination. Join us as we embark on a transformative conversation with Scarlett, where she reveals her unique Italian twists on life, business, and personal growth. Prepare to be inspired and empowered as we learn from Scarlett through her experiences and gain valuable insights into building a business and grabbing that board seat, while staying true to who you are. It's a GOODY! Music of choice: Girl Gang, Gin Wigmore Find Scarlett: http://smartgirltribe.com/ Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: https://theglassfemale.com/podcast/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
How to Lead: Being Commercial for the Board
22-03-2024
How to Lead: Being Commercial for the Board
Welcome back to another exciting episode of From Your Seat to the Board, this week we are learning all about 'How to Lead: Being Commercial for the Board' with a strategic goddess! In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing the incredible Geraldine Butler-Wright (G for short), CPO, board member, total bad a*s and strategic advisor to start-ups, scale-ups and product-led businesses. Get ready to be inspired as she shares valuable insights on how to lead with a go getting attitude in your career and beyond! G shares secrets from her career journey and emphasises the need to control that inner narrative, by the end of the episode you might even be a fear-setter instead of a goal-setter! G has an appetite to do things differently, to challenge the status quo, and clearly, it has paid off, come and join us for this special episode, where we'll dive deep into why the numbers matter in HR, the power of your network, and the importance of your inner narrative. But being a leader isn't just about the professional realm. As a mum, she shares with us why it's not all about balance and how not to be afraid to disrupt the traditional career pathways. So, settle in, grab a pen and paper, and get ready to take notes as G spills the beans. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to make their mark in the world of leadership. You can find Geraldine at https://www.rorcas.com/ and over on LinkedIn.  Music of choice: Into the Unknown, Frozen 2 Book reads: Fear Setting by Tim Ferries The Blend by Tobi Asare / IG @mybumppay Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: https://theglassfemale.com/podcast/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
The Personal Brand Builder: Your Network is your Net Worth
15-03-2024
The Personal Brand Builder: Your Network is your Net Worth
Today’s episode is called The Personal Brand Builder: Your Network is your Net Worth, and we have the privilege of talking to Petra Gatto, second time Founder & Personal Brand Mentor & Photographer. Petra has over 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur following a successful career pivot that came through overcoming a huge personal life shift. Tune in to hear her powerful story and why it's impossible not to feel connected to her and her work. Petra is currently empowering women leaders and founders to feel confident and show up with visibility and powerful personal brand.  Today, we’re going to hear her personal story and why networking can be a total game changer in your toolkit for growing your career, your confidence and your brand.  You will also hear some of Perta’s personal story, and how her trauma led to her incredible passion-led business.  Explore the strategies, mindset and shifts necessary to see yourself differently and how this can powerfully elevate you as a leader in your field...and maybe, go after that board seat! This is a must listen. Petra is a personal friend and a collaborator of mine, so this is a super special episode - I hope you enjoy it! You can find Petra at https://petragatto.com/ and over on IG @petragatto.  Music of choice: Brain FM! Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: https://theglassfemale.com/podcast/ This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
Overcoming Obstacles: Boardroom Bias
08-03-2024
Overcoming Obstacles: Boardroom Bias
Welcome to From Your Seat to the Board, in this corker of an episode we tackle the crucial topic of overcoming obstacles, focusing on the pervasive issue of bias in the corporate workplace. We speak to our incredible guest, Ngozi Cadmus, a mental health disruptor, second-time founder, and co-founder of Happiworkers, bringing her unique perspective as a doctorate researcher studying the barriers to leadership for black women to life and the workplace. Join us as we delve into the biases that hinder the progress of underrepresented individuals, particularly women of colour, in the pursuit of boardroom positions. Ngozi shares her personal experiences and insights, shedding light on the challenges she has faced, trauma and it's impact and the strategies she has employed to navigate bias. We explore the impact of unconscious bias, stereotype threat, and conflict on career progression and discuss practical steps to overcome these obstacles. Ngozi provides valuable advice on building resilience, leveraging networks, and advocating for oneself to challenge the bias factor. Throughout the episode, we also delve into the importance of mental health in the face of adversity and discuss the role of organisations in creating inclusive environments that foster diverse leadership. This episode is a must-listen for professionals aspiring to break through barriers, dismantle bias, and create a more equitable corporate landscape. Join us as we learn from Ngozi, a trailblazer in mental health and a passionate advocate for empowering underrepresented voices in leadership. Let's challenge the status quo and work towards a future where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive. You can find Ngozi at https://happiworkers.health/ and over on LinkedIn. Music of choice: Pow, Lethal Bizzle Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: www.theglassfemale.com This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
Navigating the Boardroom: The War Games
08-03-2024
Navigating the Boardroom: The War Games
Welcome to another exciting episode of From Your Seat to the Board! In this episode we have strategy consultant, Faris Aranki, who is going to take us on an enlightening journey into the realms of IQ and EQ in the boardroom. Get ready to discover the secrets of navigating these two essential elements for success. Our guest is not your average consultant - he's a serial networker, a former McKinsey consultant, and in his words, a little bit weird. But don't let that fool you. His unconventional approach has given him a unique perspective on how to show up, add material value, and truly own the boardroom. During our conversation, he will share invaluable insights on how to leverage both your intellectual and emotional intelligence to make a lasting impact in high-stakes business settings. From decoding the intricacies of human behaviour to mastering the art of strategic thinking, Faris will equip you with the tools you need to excel in the boardroom. But that's not all! He will also take us through the world of "war games" - and strategies he has developed to simulate real-life scenarios and train executives to navigate tough environments. Get ready to level up your strategy skills and gain a competitive edge as you join us on this captivating journey. So, whether you're a seasoned executive, aspiring leader, or simply curious about the inner workings of the boardroom, this episode is a must-listen - I learnt some amazing tricks from Faris, you can too. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and empowered as we dive into the fascinating world of IQ, EQ, and the art of dominating the boardroom. Let's go! You can find Faris at https://www.shiageto.com/ or connect with him on LinkedIn. Music of choice: Shakira, Ciega Sordomuda Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: www.theglassfemale.com This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.
The Journey of a Trailblazer
08-03-2024
The Journey of a Trailblazer
Welcome to From Your Seat to the Board! In this episode we sit down with a remarkable disruptor in the accounting profession, who is shaking up the industry with her innovative approach. Our guest, Rachel Harris, is a total trailblazer and all round amazing human who has co-founded the fastest growing accounting practice in the UK, Strive X. Rachel, recently featured on the cover of Forbes magazine, shares her secrets to success with us. Rachel is everywhere - and for good reason, she's innovative, driven, committed and FUN! Sitting on the AAT Board and what she affectionately calls Bed-Quarters, she tells us what you need to do to go get a seat. Join us as we explore the challenges she faced, the strategies she employed, and the lessons she learned along the way. From monk mode and total sobriety to the 5am club, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in entrepreneurship, accounting, and the power of embracing creativity and unconventional thinking. Get ready to be inspired and motivated by this extraordinary guest who is redefining the accounting space for Women and what it means to be an Employer of Choice. Rachel is a total boss babe! You can find Rachel over on IG @accountant_she and https://strivex.co.uk/ Music of choice: Spice Girls, any from the archives! Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Get in touch with me here: www.theglassfemale.com This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, professional or formal career advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast.