UK 
United States
To mark International Women’s Day, held this year on March 8th we asked nine senior, female HR leaders about what it takes to make it in HR.
Kadisha Lewis-Roberts, Chief People Officer, Pure Data Centres Group – ‘Put your wellies on and prepare to wade through the mud!’
“A long time ago, someone said to me: Kadisha, it takes all sorts to make the world go round! It has become my motto when it comes to HR. HR is not about homogenisation, it’s about nuance, grey areas, the nonlinear, it is sometimes messy mud wading. Great female HR leaders are the ones that put on those wellies and wade through the cr*p; whilst providing the life raft for others.
“The characteristics that determine success as a woman in this field are commerciality, ruthless prioritisation, and constantly keeping your finger on the pulse of what your people are telling you. It is the ability to marry top with bottom, bottom with top whilst keeping your eye on the long term. Grit and tenacity are the words I use on a daily basis, being able to be the calm in the storm, the critical friend, the trusted ally and the value creator certainly helped me propel my career to this date. And, I may have a bias here, but I think the thing that makes female HR leaders particularly good at what they do is their ability to really listen, as someone else once said to me: Kadisha, you have two ears and one mouth, use them in that order! I’ve learnt that by really listening, deeply to opportunities and problems and ensuring that everything is out on the table, you can get through the deepest of bogs and climb the highest of mountains (even with those wellies on!)”
Karen Barnett, Chief People Officer, British Business Bank – ‘My HR success hasn’t come from playing it safe’
“I don’t just sit at the table, I help build it and ensure there’s a seat for every voice that matters. My HR success hasn’t come from playing it safe, it has come from stepping into the air pockets, roaming outside of my “jurisdiction” those critical moments where leadership, courage, and commercial acumen make all the difference. We need to be bold and brave and challenge those outdated norms.
“I listen deeply, act decisively when necessary and try to bring both empathy and strategic edge to the boardroom, earning my place as a trusted advisor. Balancing the demands of family life with an unwavering focus on delivering results, I have proven to myself that ambition and authenticity aren’t mutually exclusive, they’re my superpower!”
