Navigate the career labyrinth with innovative LeaderHERship programmes from EDN
For many women, the notion of a ‘career ladder’ can seem fanciful. The idea that careers follow an unbroken, ever-upward trajectory doesn’t tally with the experience of most. Glass ceilings, the gender pay gap and differing experiences of the workplace can mean that, for many women, career progression is more akin to a maze or labyrinth.
‘LeadHERship’ is an innovative new concept that EDN is putting into practice through workshops and apprenticeships. The LeadHERship concept aims to acknowledge the specific challenges that women face, and devise strategies to overcome them.
At EDN, we appreciate these challenges. We caught up with Christine Singleton, Education Sector Specialist – Curriculum to talk leadership, what that means for women, and how EDN’s innovative LeadHERship pathway is designed to unblock the paths of women who want to progress in their careers.
A woman’s work is never simple
“Women often start off in jobs they love and begin to steadily climb the supposed ‘ladder’ via promotions. But a change in circumstances can have a big impact on a woman’s career. Perhaps an elderly relative becomes ill. Women are still thought of as primary care-givers, and for those with careers, they’re often expected to give them up or put them on hold when this happens.
“Or perhaps a woman decides to begin a family. Women are financially impacted on average 33% more highly than men after having children. Many work fewer hours and thus earn less because of childcare responsibilities. They also often are unable to take on extra responsibilities at work, which halts their progression.
A LeadHERship programme from EDN can help women take charge of their careers
These are the kinds of issues that contribute to women feeling stuck or stalled on their career paths. EDN’s LeadHERship programmes are designed to address these problems.
Our Inspiring LeadHERship programme is a short online half-day workshop covering some of the challenges around moving into that first management position. Again, this is a flexible programme, completed online.
Emerging Leader is a team leader level three apprenticeship, contextualised for women leading teams. It provides a lens for female supervisors to understand their leadership style and how they motivate and influence others. It also covers some of the issues that first-time female managers face around self-worth and imposterism, unconscious bias at work and managing responsibilities at home.
Elevating LeadHERship is another workshop that explores the themes and challenges associated with women moving into from supervisory roles into more senior management. None of these obstacles are insurmountable, and our experts will talk women through creating the right mindset, building a professional network and elevating leadHership presence.
For those that want to take a more formalised step and gain a recognised qualification, our Operational LeadHERship Apprenticeship is tailored specifically for women in operational management roles. This is a level 5 apprenticeship, equivalent to a Higher National Diploma (HND) or foundation degree. At the end of the programme, apprentices will have learned vital skills associated with leadership, and have the confidence to step into their role with ease.
LeadHERship that helps adjust mindsets
Christine has a thorough understanding of the unique landscape that a female leader navigates, and how best to leverage their strengths to achieve success in leadHERship roles.:
“There’s a quote from Eve Rodsky in Fair Play that really gets to the heart of the matter. She says, ‘Admit it, even though we’re super-tired and overextended, we still like to brag about all that we do and how much better women are at getting it done.’ That speaks to me. It tells me that many women accept the idea that overwork and exhaustion are their lot, and don’t think there’s anything that can be done about that. It’s simply not true: I want to challenge women to take charge of their lives, not merely accept drudgery or missed opportunities.
“And why shouldn’t you? From the moment you begin to challenge ways of thinking (including your own) and the systems that reinforce the status quo, you’re thinking strategically. Then, it’s just a matter of adding structure. At EDN, that’s known as ‘the LeadHERship pathway’, and we have several programmes and an apprenticeship that can teach the skills and behaviours you need to succeed, from beginning to end.”
These programmes are tailored to women, and consider the unique challenges that only a woman can face and understand. They’re delivered by experts, who have gone through the labyrinth themselves and come out the other side. The world needs female leadership, but for that to happen, there needs to be a change in mindset not just from women themselves, but from the companies that they work for.
More women in leadership roles, with the right mindset to lead, will inevitably mean changes at the top across the world of work. Together, we can make 2025 the year of leadHERship.
Get in touch
To find out more about leadHERship programmes and apprenticeships from EDN, check out our programme list.