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Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen is Chairman of the Executive Board of Aon Holdings  (part of Aon Plc; NYSE AON) and other Holdings entities in the Netherlands and Global Chief Marketing Officer of Aon Inpoint. Marguerite is an expert on diversity and inclusion and is Chair of the Advisory Board of SER Topvrouwen (the Dutch nationwide diversity C-suite female empowerment initiative).  She also represents the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its private sector in the G20 EMPOWER Alliance. In 2021 she was awarded the Ambassador J. William Middendorf II award. This award is presented to individuals who have markedly served to strengthen relations between the United States and the Netherlands. In 2010 she was awarded “Women to Watch” by Business Insurance, USA.Marguerite received a Master degree in Law from Erasmus University Rotterdam and is an alumna of INSEAD and Harvard Business School, also holder of an honorary doctorate in philisophy of Rai University, Ahmedabad Gujarat.

Read an excerpt of Talk with Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen:

Rajni Vohra: In recent times, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of female leaders in various fields, and more efforts are being made to promote gender equality in leadership positions. In such scenarios, it is not uncommon to see instances of women co-leadership. However, power dynamics between leaders can become a potential challenge, especially if there are disagreements or differing opinions. How has your experience regarding co-leadership been while working with other women?    

Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen: Co-leadership focuses less on power, status and money but more on doing the right thing and driving the required results together. It is therefore less about “I” and more about “We”,  using collective knowledge. It enhances a growth mindset. Co-leaders have different life paths, experiences, education, strengths and weaknesses. They can complement each other, keep areas of focus and therefore apply diversity of thought and opinion to a company. Diversity helps a company to grow. With different personalities, experiences, and perspectives available within the leadership core of a business, there are more opportunities for growth. Although differences in personality can create conflict, if however effectively managed, the depth of conversations, ideas, and creative moments will generally make the company better, stronger and faster. Personally I have always enjoyed working with both men and women.  My learning agility, my interest in other people, their observations and insights, and my curiosity but also my humility is what thrives me to work with others and to adapt accordingly.  My mantra therefore is  “If I am the smartest in the room, I am in the wrong room”.

                                                                   
  Rajni Vohra: Research has consistently shown that women face significant challenges in the workplace, including stereotypes, discrimination, and biases. Despite these challenges, women continue to work hard and excel in their careers. In fact, studies have shown that women often have to work harder than men to receive the same recognition and rewards. Do you see any disruption happening in this pattern around you now?    

Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen: Even when women work harder, female employees are less likely to be promoted than their male counterparts, despite outperforming them and being less likely to quit. And research points to at least one reason why. In the paper, “’Potential’ and the Gender Promotion Gap,” MIT Sloan Associate Professor Danielle Li found that on average, women received higher performance ratings than male employees, but received 8.3% lower ratings for potential than men. The result was that female employees on average were 14% less likely to be promoted than their male colleagues.

In many management books and articles in newspapers etc stereotypical views of ‘excellent leadership” are being described. Characteristics such as decisiveness and assertiveness, working hard,  and making a lot of money tend us to think of men. As a result women are perceived less as potential leaders than men. This phenomenon occurs again and again in organizations. But recent research also shows another explanation for the fact that men are promoted faster, despite their average lower performance. When men are passed over for promotions or when they receive a lower potential rating, they are more likely to leave. The researchers argue that managers are aware of this, and so reward men with higher potential ratings so that they don’t walk away.

It is crucial to acknowledge the existence of prejudice, both conscious and unconscious bias, and start measuring talent – both men and women – with the right means so that you will be able to identify real talent.              

                                                       
  Rajni Vohra: Studies have shown that women are often socialized to be less confident in their abilities to manage finances to pursue careers in the tech industry. Additionally, women may face barriers such as the gender pay gap and lack of representation in these fields, which can contribute to lower levels of financial and tech literacy.  How important do you believe to address such systemic and societal barriers that contribute to low levels of ls confidence in women? Confidence is a belief we can create a successful outcome through our actions.

Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen: In order to be successful, one needs to be both competent and confident.  Many women make the mistake of only focusing on proving themselves through their performance. They forget to take other actions necessary to increase their personal brand and exposure in an organization.

The confidence gap describes the tendency women to be less self-assured in their abilities than their male counterparts. Findings from a study by Weibke Bleidorn c.s. in 2016 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26692356/ based on two decades’ worth of research supports the confidence gap, confirming that men have higher self-esteem than women.

One way we see the confidence gap play out in STEM (sciences technology engineering math) is the old but persisting myth of the male math brainhttps://www.aauw.org/resources/article/the-myth-of-the-male-math-brain/ This myth perpetuates the misconception that boys are naturally better at math, while girls are naturally better at language and verbal skills. However, many studies indicate that there is no substantial difference between boys and girls in biological cognitive ability or aptitude for math or verbal processing. “Boys do not pursue mathematical activities at a higher rate than girls because they are better at mathematics. They do so, at least in part, because they think they are better.” Shelley Correll, Professor of Sociology, Stanford University. From climate change to the energy crisis to health, the answers to our most existential challenges lie in science. Seeking them we need to include the brainpower of half the world: women and girls. Under the leadership of the Indian G20 presidency we intend to work the coming year on tangible actions to make a change.

Daniel Goleman described in What makes a leader 5 essential skills:  self awareness, self reflection, motivation, empathy and social skills.

Self awareness includes knowing yourself and trusting yourself, accepting your strengths and abilities but also your weaknesses. It requires growing your self confidence. Confidence is what turns thoughts into action. Without it we hold ourselves back.   Hence in overcoming systematic and societal barriers, we need to work on both increasing competence of women to become digitally fluent and financially literate, enabling them to also learn coding and studying STEM topics. However at the same time also work on increasing self confidence and visibility of women as role models.

Rajni Vohra: There cannot be a single blanket answer to address the different challenges faced by different parts of the world at different levels currently. The problems and needs of each community, region, or country are unique and require tailored and context-specific solutions. Nevertheless, how the element of culture can be integrated to strengthen women in families and society.     

Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen: Socialization is the continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position. Already as soon as babies are born this starts. By either giving boys blue or girls pink toys, clothes etc. But also by what we are being told what normal behaviours is by parents, teachers, friends, or by movies or books.  These norms and values are a powerful, driving force that puts enormous pressure on us to conform to societal beliefs.

However, once family’s culture,  based on race or ethnicity, is equally as powerful and starts just as early. In many cultures, women are expected to be responsible for things that men are not. And, more pressure is put on girls and women to look and behave in certain ways.  In e.g. South America Asia, India, some cultures believe that girls should take care of the males in the family. Strong cultural and family influences can impact the personality, success and dreams of young women.

A degendered education both at home and at school would support gender equality. Gender roles can and should be blurred. All children should be taught to cook, clean, do laundry and fix things around the house – essential life skills for any adult. Cultural inconsistencies in how we treat girls and boys should be banned. We need to challenge cultural expectations that women should be responsible for things that men are not. Women are equally capable as men to be successful and happy. Our childhood upbringing and culture should reflect that. Last but not least crucial is that women are raised with the belief that they can and should be financially independent.  This implies knowledge of finances, how to save money, how to attract investors to your business etc.

Rajni Vohra: What’s your biggest learning from life? 

Marguerite Soeteman-Reijnen:Embrace change, don’t fight it.  Strive for perfection, but settle for excellence. Last but not least, I do not know the key for continuous success and happiness in life, except working hard and enjoying what you do,  but one thing I know is that the key for failure is trying to please everyone!

Rajni Vohra: Thank you so much for talking to us.

Women in Technology, Finland with Piia Simpanen | Why not many woman are in Technology | www. wahwoman.in Finland is known to be one of the world’s leading countries in fostering gender equality, also the first country to grant women full political rights. The position of women in society and business is well-respected and far better than in many other countries. I had the privilege to invite Piia Simpanen WahWoman, who is a Head of Growth Programmes, Technology Industries of Finland, a strong believer of diversity and inclusion. Her superpower is an analytical mind combined with people skills. Her position at Technology Industries of Finland has given her insight into the Finnish economic life including SMEs as well as larger companies. We had a conversation around women in technology and stereotypical challenges they face while getting into the industries not commonly chosen by most of the females, watch it

Empower Women with disability | World Disability Day 2020 | Living with disability for a woman www.wahwoman.in The challenges of living with a physical disability are beyond imagination for normal humans and not easy to deal with. Sadly, it becomes, even more, tougher for women living with disabilities due to societal prejudices, holding stereotypical gender perspectives, and in certain parts of World, from a safety point of view too. Women with disabilities face significantly more difficulties – in both public and private spheres – in attaining access to adequate housing, health, education, vocational training, and employment, and are more likely to be treated like a liability by family members. on International Day for persons with a disability, meet Seema Chopra, living with paraplegia for three decades, 70% disabled, in India. Nevertheless, her determination to live life, positive attitude, and work towards society kept her alive! Empower Women with disability | World Disability Day 2020 | Living with disability for a woman

Humanity & Philanthropy- A Talk with a Princess Dr. Moradeun Ogunlana It was a great joy to have Her Royal Highness Princess Dr. Moradeun Ogunlana, on our show #WahWoman, a recognized leader on women empowerment for Africa in the United States and around the world, is the President/CEO of Innovative Global Consulting (IGC) Group, Her commitment to women’s economic empowerment has extended to the global arena as UN Ambassador for Peace, where she has provided a forum through the Global Council of Women for Development to exchange best practices in accelerating women’s economic progress. She is Executive Board member of Fight Cancer Global, she supports Fight Cancer Global management and other Executive Board members through collaboration and strategic planning of global initiatives while communicating plans and progress to stakeholders.

It’s time that all of us see gender as a spectrum as an alternative of two units of opposing beliefs.” – Emma Watson

Let’s close gender gaps in all spheres and dimensions-Social, Cultural, Political, Economic Education, Workforce, Promotion & Position, Leadership, Pay & Wages, Division of Labour, Health, Domestic Responsibilities, Safety & Security- create equal opportunities everywhere.

#GenderEquality is key to accelerate sustainable development in a progressive society. Having a balanced view always yields greater results- be it home, society, or workplace which comes from having perspectives from male and female leaders to ensure that men and women have an equal chance to contribute both at home and in the workplace, thereby enhancing their well-being and that of society.

#wahwoman

#genderpaygaps #genderdiversity #genderbalance #womenequality #womensequalityday2020 #inclusion #womenleadership #womeninworkforce #womenentrepreneurs #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #genderdiversity #nitiayog #un_women #WHO #UNICEF #EIGE #leavenoonebehind #unesco #womanatarian #unwomenindia #globalgoals #sdgs #EuropeanCommission #europeancouncil #EuropeanUnion

A beautiful landlocked Balkan country Republic of North Macedonia since its independence has kept equal opportunity for both men and women at the forefront of the government
agenda the country has adopted several laws and mechanisms to advance gender equality the law of equal opportunity for men and women oblige public institutions to ensure
equal rights and opportunities for both genders so according to UN reports the Republic of Macedonia showed that only 12 percent of women in rural areas are landowners and less than 10 percent have decision-making roles related to land. While women in agriculture work on average 11.06 hours per day, 41.7% of the total workload belongs to unpaid work (Source: https://eca.unwomen.org/pt/news/stories/2019/02/making-agriculture-and-rural-development-policies-respond-to-womens-needs-in-fyr-macedonia). so there’s a huge difference joined us a wonderful woman from North Macedonia. Joined us, Daniela Antonovska on #WahWoman (www.wahwoman.in), a gender equality expert as well as a consultant in North Macedonia. Watch it:

#genderpaygaps #genderdiversity #genderbalance #womenequality #inclusion #womenleadership #womeninworkforce #womenentrepreneurs #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #genderdiversity #nitiayog #un_women #WHO #UNICEF #EIGE #leavenoonebehind #unesco #womanatarian #unwomenindia #globalgoals #sdgs #EuropeanCommission #europeancouncil #EuropeanUnion

To know more about gender equality in the republic of Macedonia, visit the following links:

https://banyanglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/USAID-North-Macedonia-Gender-Analysis-Report.pdf

https://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/step-it-up/commitments/fyr-macedonia

https://www.mk.undp.org/content/north-macedonia/en/home/sustainable-development-goals/goal-5-gender-equality.html

Gender equality is about “equal opportunity”. For any progressive society, it is imperative to make sure that no one faces any barriers to legal, social, and political opportunities due to their gender.
Have had the privilege to hold an insightful, engaging and thought-provoking conversation on various aspects – #GenderEquality #SocialStereotypes #Ecocivilisation #WomenInMobility
#COVID19Pandemic
with Violeta Bulc, the epitome of effective leadership, an exceptional role model, a true visionary, and an inspirational woman. Watch it on #WahWoman
#women #womenleadership #diversityandinclusion #womeninworkforce #womenentrepreneurs #womenleaders #womenempowerment #genderdiversity #nitiayog #un_women #WHO #UNICEF #EIGE #leavenoonebehind #unesco #womanatarian #unwomenindia #globalgoals #sdgs #EuropeanCommission #Slovenia #europeancouncil #EuropeanUnion

Read more about Violeta Bulc on : https://www.euractiv.com/topics/violeta-bulc/

Closing the gender pay gap, Iceland with Vidir Ragnarsson & Rajni Vohra (www.wahwoman.in)
Equal pay for equal work of equal value.

According to the reports, worldwide women only make 77 cents for every dollar earned by men, which results in lifetime income inequality between men & women (Source:https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2014/05/19/90039/explaining-the-gender-wage-gap/) since the number of women in the workforce increased significantly during the second half of the 20th century that led to multiple discussions around gender equality in the workplace. The gender pay gap is one of the most discussed, yet rampant phenomena across the World. The gender pay gap is the result of many factors. To discuss more of it, Vidir Ragnarsson, Equality advocate joined us on #wahwoman( www.wahwoman.in)

#women #womenleadership #heforshe #diversity #inclusion #genderequality #diversityandinclusion #womeninworkforce #womenentrepreneurs #womenleaders #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #genderdiversity #nitiayog #un_women #WHO #UNICEF #EIGE #leavenoonebehind #unesco #womanatarian #unwomenindia #globalgoals #sdgs #EuropeanCommission #europeancouncil #EuropeanUnion

Read more about such topics on :https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2014/05/19/90039/explaining-the-gender-wage-gap/

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47212342

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/15/hollywoods-gender-pay-gap-revealed-male-stars-earn-1m-more-per-film-than-women

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/20/iceland-equal-pay-law-gender-gap-women-jobs-equality

Montenegro, an enchanting Balkan country according to the UN, is committed to ensuring that women and girls have equal rights and opportunities in all spheres of life and live free of violence. To understand the impact on gender equality and women issues of #Montenegro, complex economic, social and political environment, Aleksandra Gligorovic,
joined us from Montenegro, on #WahWoman ( www.wahwoman.in) who has been handling various such projects. Watch it:

#women #womenleadership #diversity #inclusion #genderequality #diversityandinclusion #womeninworkforce #womenentrepreneurs #womenleaders #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #genderdiversity #nitiayog #un_women #WHO #UNICEF #EIGE #leavenoonebehind #unesco #womanatarian #unwomenindia #globalgoals #sdgs #EuropeanCommission #europeancouncil #EuropeanUnion

Read more on this topic: https://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/ourwork/womenempowerment/overview.html

https://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/step-it-up/commitments/montenegro

https://borgenproject.org/womens-empowerment-in-montenegro/

https://www.osce.org/mission-to-montenegro/423242

Educational institutions are considered to be having enormous potential to promote gender equality, inclusiveness, bridging socio- cultural gaps, eliminating gender biases & stereotypes; thus establishing a more gender equitable society.
It was indeed a pleasure to have Kusum Kanwar as a guest on WahWoman and holding a very insightful and intriguing discussion on the role of early child education to perpetuate gender equality and leveraging education as a tool to break gender stereotypes. Very thankful to Kusum who is a well- known name in educational industry and for various social entrupreneurial stints, for being our guest on #WahWoman ( www.wahwoman.in)
channel.
 https://lnkd.in/erJ8v33 #women #womenleadership #education #diversity #inclusion #genderequality #diversityandinclusion #womeninworkforce #womenentrepreneurs #womenleaders #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen #genderdiversity #nitiayog #un_women #WHO #UNICEF #EIGE #leavenoonebehind #unesco #womanatarian

Related links: https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-and-gender-equality

https://www.un.org/en/chronicle/article/education-pathway-towards-gender-equality

https://www.wahwoman.in/