65. Women Engineers Unplugged: Navigating Challenges In A Male-Dominated Workplace
10/21/24 • 38 min
Have you ever wondered about the unique challenges women encounter in engineering? In this compelling episode of The Leadership Zone, host Sile welcomes Orlagh Costello, a seasoned engineer with over two decades of experience, to discuss this pressing issue. Orlagh shares impactful stories of overcoming industry biases, navigating both subtle and overt workplace barriers, and advocating for equality in a predominantly male-dominated field. Join us as we delve into the significance of open and unapologetic conversations about gender equity in engineering.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
👉 Recognised common issues facing women in engineering that inspired her to bring these discussions to the forefront
👉 Notes that the engineering field brings unique barriers for women compared to men, with gender expectations often stifling openness.
👉 Highlights the phenomenon of benevolent sexism, where well-intentioned gestures may actually limit women’s career growth.
👉 Points out unconscious biases in the workplace where women’s family life is often seen as a career impediment, unlike men's.
👉 Mentors, including both supportive and dismissive ones, played a critical role in shaping her resilience and confidence.
👉 Discusses various strategies for handling inappropriate jokes and comments, from calling in to calling out, depending on context.
👉 Recognises that women often wait until they’ve "had enough" before speaking out, which can lead to perceptions of overreaction.
👉 Emphasises that resilience and skill in addressing these situations grow with experience and confidence.
About Orlagh Costello:
✅ Orlagh Costello is an experienced engineer with over 20 years in the field, starting her career in the heavy steel industry. Throughout her journey, she has identified recurring barriers and challenges faced by women in engineering, recognising the need for open discussions around these issues. Drawing from her own experiences, Orlagh advocates for creating safe spaces where women can be themselves in the workplace, fostering a supportive environment that empowers others to share their stories and challenges.
✅ Website: https://engineerher.org
✅ Free Career Assessment: https://engineerher.ck.page/career-assessment
✅ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlaghcostello
Discover the keys to fostering inclusive workplaces with Sile Walsh's book on inclusive leadership. Gain insights, practical tools, and strategies to create a more equitable environment for all employees. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about diversity, this book is your essential guide.
📖 Buy the Book Inclusive Leadership Navigating Organisational Complexity @ https://www.silewalsh.com/inclusive-leadership-book
❇️ Join the conversation about inclusive leadership by using #ILNOC and tagging me @silewalsh1 on all social media platforms.
👉 Download your free Inclusive Leader's Pocket Guide: https://www.silewalsh.com/pocketguide
💌 Sign up for weekly leadership Letters: https://www.silewalsh.com/leadershipletters
Hope you enjoyed the video; if so, don’t forget to ...
💟 Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/silewalsh1
💟 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/silewalsh
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#LeadershipZone #WomenInEngineering #BreakingBarriers #STEMEquity #InclusionInSTEM #GenderBias #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenEmpowerment #BenevolentSexism #UnconsciousBias #WorkplaceEquity #InclusiveLeadership #STEMMentorship #CareerInEngineering #NonBinaryInclusion #BuildingConfidence #GenderEquality #MaleAllyship #SupportWomenInSTEM #ResilienceInEngineering
Have you ever wondered about the unique challenges women encounter in engineering? In this compelling episode of The Leadership Zone, host Sile welcomes Orlagh Costello, a seasoned engineer with over two decades of experience, to discuss this pressing issue. Orlagh shares impactful stories of overcoming industry biases, navigating both subtle and overt workplace barriers, and advocating for equality in a predominantly male-dominated field. Join us as we delve into the significance of open and unapologetic conversations about gender equity in engineering.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
👉 Recognised common issues facing women in engineering that inspired her to bring these discussions to the forefront
👉 Notes that the engineering field brings unique barriers for women compared to men, with gender expectations often stifling openness.
👉 Highlights the phenomenon of benevolent sexism, where well-intentioned gestures may actually limit women’s career growth.
👉 Points out unconscious biases in the workplace where women’s family life is often seen as a career impediment, unlike men's.
👉 Mentors, including both supportive and dismissive ones, played a critical role in shaping her resilience and confidence.
👉 Discusses various strategies for handling inappropriate jokes and comments, from calling in to calling out, depending on context.
👉 Recognises that women often wait until they’ve "had enough" before speaking out, which can lead to perceptions of overreaction.
👉 Emphasises that resilience and skill in addressing these situations grow with experience and confidence.
About Orlagh Costello:
✅ Orlagh Costello is an experienced engineer with over 20 years in the field, starting her career in the heavy steel industry. Throughout her journey, she has identified recurring barriers and challenges faced by women in engineering, recognising the need for open discussions around these issues. Drawing from her own experiences, Orlagh advocates for creating safe spaces where women can be themselves in the workplace, fostering a supportive environment that empowers others to share their stories and challenges.
✅ Website: https://engineerher.org
✅ Free Career Assessment: https://engineerher.ck.page/career-assessment
✅ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/orlaghcostello
Discover the keys to fostering inclusive workplaces with Sile Walsh's book on inclusive leadership. Gain insights, practical tools, and strategies to create a more equitable environment for all employees. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about diversity, this book is your essential guide.
📖 Buy the Book Inclusive Leadership Navigating Organisational Complexity @ https://www.silewalsh.com/inclusive-leadership-book
❇️ Join the conversation about inclusive leadership by using #ILNOC and tagging me @silewalsh1 on all social media platforms.
👉 Download your free Inclusive Leader's Pocket Guide: https://www.silewalsh.com/pocketguide
💌 Sign up for weekly leadership Letters: https://www.silewalsh.com/leadershipletters
Hope you enjoyed the video; if so, don’t forget to ...
💟 Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/silewalsh1
💟 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/silewalsh
💟 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SileWalsh1
💟 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ @SileWalsh1
#LeadershipZone #WomenInEngineering #BreakingBarriers #STEMEquity #InclusionInSTEM #GenderBias #DiversityAndInclusion #WomenEmpowerment #BenevolentSexism #UnconsciousBias #WorkplaceEquity #InclusiveLeadership #STEMMentorship #CareerInEngineering #NonBinaryInclusion #BuildingConfidence #GenderEquality #MaleAllyship #SupportWomenInSTEM #ResilienceInEngineering
Previous Episode
64. Navigating Diversity & Inclusion: Effective Leadership Strategies in a VUCA World
In this insightful discussion, we explore the complex challenges that leaders face in fostering diversity and inclusion (D&I) within organisations. From the pitfalls of superficial D&I efforts to the need for transformational approaches, this conversation uncovers the nuances of creating sustainable change. We also examine the misconceptions surrounding D&I and why meeting organisations where they are, while pushing for authentic development, is essential for long-term success.
In this episode, we discuss the following:
👉 Leaders struggle with balancing the desire to "get it right" and organisational appropriateness in D&I efforts.
👉 Reputation management and fear of backlash contribute to hesitation in implementing D&I strategies.
👉 Inclusion is a social process, and controlling it undermines the goal of fostering genuine inclusivity.
👉 Leaders often seek certainty, but true transformation requires embracing ambiguity and complexity.
👉 Building trust and guiding organisations through D&I complexity takes time and strategic partnership.
👉 Inclusion is not just about "being nice" — it's about creating ethical and moral guidelines aligned with the organisation’s goals.
👉 Organisations need to shift from one-off training sessions to developmental, transformational approaches.
👉 D&I needs to be integrated into all organisational policies, not treated as a separate "side of desk" activity.
👉 The skill set required for D&I work should include organisational development (OD) to ensure systemic integration.
👉 Leaders must process their own biases and privilege to lead effective D&I initiatives.
About Al Pacifico-France:
✅ Al Pacifico-France is a psychologist and specialist in organisation and leadership development, with over twenty years of experience in diversity and inclusion. They enable transformative experiences for leaders by fostering creativity and emotional exploration to create measurable behaviour change. Al's diverse qualifications and personal experiences, including extensive work across sectors and various personal challenges, empower them to support individuals in achieving their potential through their unique identities.
✅ Website: hhttps://www.evosis.co.uk
✅ Linkedin: http://uk.linkedin.com/in/alpacificofrance
Discover the keys to fostering inclusive workplaces with Sile Walsh's book on inclusive leadership. Gain insights, practical tools, and strategies to create a more equitable environment for all employees. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about diversity, this book is your essential guide.
📖 Buy the Book Inclusive Leadership Navigating Organisational Complexity @ https://www.silewalsh.com/inclusive-leadership-book
❇️ Join the conversation about inclusive leadership by using #ILNOC and tagging me @silewalsh1 on all social media platforms.
👉 Download your free Inclusive Leader's Pocket Guide: https://www.silewalsh.com/pocketguide
💌 Sign up for weekly leadership Letters: https://www.silewalsh.com/leadershipletters
Hope you enjoyed the video; if so, don’t forget to ...
💟 Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/silewalsh1
💟 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/silewalsh
💟 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SileWalsh1
💟 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ @SileWalsh1
Next Episode
66. Mediation Tips: How to Approach Conflicts with an Open Mind
How can mediation transform conflict resolution in the workplace? In this thought-provoking episode of the Leadership Zone, host Sheila Walsh engages with experienced solicitor and mediator Hilary O'Connor. Together, they delve into the intricacies of conflict resolution, emphasizing the advantages of mediation compared to traditional litigation. In this episode, we discuss the following:
👉 The Role of a Mediator: A mediator facilitates discussions and helps parties explore their perspectives to find common ground.
👉 Preventing Escalation: Engaging in mediation early can prevent conflicts from escalating and becoming entrenched.
👉 Shared Solutions: Mediation encourages collaborative problem-solving, focusing on mutual interests rather than adversarial positions.
👉 Informal Discussions: Encouraging informal conversations before conflicts escalate can lead to quicker resolutions.
👉 Long-term Impact: The emotional toll of unresolved disputes can affect individuals' self-esteem and workplace dynamics long after the conflict.
👉 Internal Power: Mediation fosters internal empowerment by allowing individuals to explore their choices in a conflict situation.
👉 Learning from Experience: Each dispute provides an opportunity for personal growth and learning, informing future conflict management.
👉 Confidentiality: The confidentiality of mediation processes ensures that participants can speak freely without fear of repercussions.
👉 Respect and Listening: Cultivating a respectful environment where all parties feel heard is vital for successful mediation.
👉 Avoiding a Box-Ticking Mentality: Genuine engagement in mediation is crucial; treating it as a mere formality can breed cynicism.
👉 Holistic Perspective: Mediation allows for a deeper exploration of underlying issues and dynamics affecting workplace relationships.
👉 Empathy in Conflict: Recognising the humanity in each party can lead to more compassionate resolutions. About Hilary O’Connor :
✅ Hilary O’Connor is a seasoned solicitor with 19 years of experience. Originally from Mayo and one of six children, she is a dedicated mother and previously ran her own legal practice. She is an active member of the Law Society of Ireland Council and a committed volunteer with Free Legal Advice Centres, advocating for equality and fighting discrimination. Hilary is passionate about broadening her perspectives by engaging with diverse viewpoints on complex issues.
✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilaryoconnorsolicitor
✅ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilaryoconnorsolicitor
Discover the keys to fostering inclusive workplaces with Sile Walsh's book on inclusive leadership. Gain insights, practical tools, and strategies to create a more equitable environment for all employees. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or simply passionate about diversity, this book is your essential guide.
📖 Buy the Book Inclusive Leadership Navigating Organisational Complexity @ https://www.silewalsh.com/inclusive-leadership-book
❇️ Join the conversation about inclusive leadership by using #ILNOC and tagging me @silewalsh1 on all social media platforms.
👉 Download your free Inclusive Leader's Pocket Guide: https://www.silewalsh.com/pocketguide
💌 Sign up for weekly leadership Letters: https://www.silewalsh.com/leadershipletters
Hope you enjoyed the video; if so, don’t forget to ...
💟 Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/silewalsh1
💟 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://ie.linkedin.com/in/silewalsh
💟 Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SileWalsh1
💟 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ @SileWalsh1
#Mediation #ConflictResolution #Litigation #EmotionalIntelligence #WorkplaceDisputes #CollaborativeProblemSolving #Mediator #Communication #ConflictManagement #PersonalInjuryLaw #EmploymentLaw #FamilyLaw #EarlyIntervention #DisputePrevention #EmpathyInConflict #Confidentiality #LeadershipDevelopment #InclusiveWorkplace #ProfessionalGrowth #teamdynamics
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