For International Women’s Day this year, our executive team recorded a podcast episode reflecting on the poignant insights from last year's blog by our Chief Operations Officer, Erika.

Both Erika and Brad, CEO, shared their thoughts and feelings, and we've curated a selection of highlights of their perspectives for this year's IWD blog post, to spark conversation and inspire action.

Beyond the Surface: Real Empowerment and Equity

Here's the deal: Empowerment isn't just about handing out kudos like candies. As Erika, pointedly questions: "Are the women in your team being heard? Are they being paid properly? Are they spared the presumption that they'll naturally take on secretarial support?" She doesn't shy away from calling out the unconscious bias that still assigns "women's work," even in the most forward-thinking of committees.

It's not just about recognising issues on a surface level. As Erika puts it, "Listen to women, then actually do what they're asking you to do." It's about action that echoes the sentiments of the day, extending beyond it.

Challenging the Status Quo

Now, for those curious, this isn't some grandiose claim that everything's peachy in the land of software and consulting. The HutSix team acknowledges a rather imposing obstacle they've faced – men themselves, and not just any men, but the attitudes and expectations deeply entrenched in a male-dominated industry. Brad candidly remarks on the historical context where the shift in perception of programming from female to male-led happened as soon as it was labelled skilled work. He notes the irony that even now, a significant chunk of the industry is, in fact, administrative.

Cultural Change

But the winds of change are blowing. HutSix has been actively restructuring its workplace culture, integrating tools like AI for meeting notes to prevent defaulting to the nearest woman in the room. Erika jokes, "So the woman on the call, who's actually the boss, doesn't have to take minutes."

From Gestures to Actions: Making Equity a Reality

Brad highlights the tangible actions taken towards real equity and support within the workplace. The focus is on recognising skills and talents regardless of age, gender, or parenthood status. "You're a member of the team, doing your thing," Brad states, reinforcing the stance that productivity and contribution know no gender.

One poignant takeaway from this discussion is the idea of role-modelling as a catalyst for cultural shift, a strategy both Erika and Brad endorse and embody within their roles.

A Vision for a Balanced Future

Musing on the future, HutSix is looking towards a more gender-balanced industry, envisioning a workplace where different perspectives, regardless of gender, age, or personal life, can coalesce to create a richer, more empathetic environment.

Call to Action

We conclude on a hopeful note, encouraging men to develop empathy and recognise women as peers. "It'd be really cool to just stop being objectified," says Erika, a sentiment echoed by Brad who notes the pervasive harassment beyond just the sexual type, a challenge both men and women face in striving for a respectful and inclusive workspace.

So this International Women's Day, our call to action is simple: listen, do, and change—not just for a day, but as the foundation for the future.

In case you missed any of the insights and laughs from this session, be sure to tune into the Invisible Skyscrapers podcast. Subscribe, share, and perhaps leave a comment for the team; they'd love to hear from you!