HeForShe Movement: championing others, tackling inequity

Currently, over 2 million people make up this movement and they have contributed to over 3 billion conversations across social media, imagining a different reality and system to the one we are all part of.

Male culture remains problematic for many boys and young men — and for adults too. International Men’s Day provides a moment not to defend that culture, but to reflect, challenge, and choose something better.

As part of this year’s event, two #HeForShe advocates, Patrick and Sean, collaborated to share their reflections as education and system leaders on why they are choosing optimism, and why men everywhere can play their part in enacting change, within and beyond International Men’s Day.

Choosing optimism Part I

Patrick Ottley-Connor FCCT, Executive Coach, leadership consultant, well being super model

Sean and I have worked together within the education sector for over a decade. We first encountered each other facilitating for a charity at the time called Future Leaders (which later became Ambition Institute). We both had optimism then and seemingly developing others and coaching educators filled both our optimism cups. Education is complex and being an education leader, at any level, carries with it a great sense of responsibility.

As Spiderman claims, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. Whilst we don’t claim to be superheroes, this International Men’s Day we are reminded of the importance of supporting others to flourish and grow in their roles.

Following a career of several Headships, I now have the privilege of coaching educators and leaders at various levels from middle & senior leaders to headteachers & CEOs. In the last year, I have seen a wide range of people secure promoted positions in their teams and organisations.

I’m encouraged by the men and women I meet who are intentionally choosing to serve communities. Against a backdrop of challenge, I am incredibly hopeful.  I choose to use my privilege to help others and as such have recently coached and supported my 76th woman into either a headship or CEO position!

Patrick and Helen, Headteacher at Furness School

Shape the System

It is important to champion events like International Men’s Day. They remind us to reflect on what is working and that change makers exist amongst us! It can inspire us to turn the dial from focusing on what is wrong to what can be possible. But it also reminds us that system change is both needed and it is possible.

To be an effective HeForShe ally, my words and action must be in sync.  As such, I hold myself accountable & encourage others to challenge me when I make mistakes, including apologising and reworking my approach towards allyship as needs change. 

In 2019 I made a pledge to WomenEd to actively model and promote the HeForShe movement and help recruit more men to join the journey towards equality and equity for women in education.  This has focussed me on my own bias and my attitudes and behaviours to women, leading to more personal challenge, learning and growth as a #HeForShe ally.

I strive to model active HeForShe allyship every day by:

• lifting women up by advocating and amplifying their voices, actions and achievements;
• sharing equitable and accessible talent growth opportunities and experiences with women; 
• inviting and welcoming women venting about their experiences of misogyny and sexism and not viewing it as a personal attack; 
• recognising and acknowledging the systematic inequalities faced by women;
• being aware of gendered terms, and using more inclusive language;
• believing the experiences of women; 
• ‘Calling out’ inappropriate behaviour towards women;
• and importantly by, listening, supporting, self-reflecting & changing.

Sean and I have both been described as having big personalities! It’s fair to say that we are comfortable with this and our wives do a great job of making sure our personalities are decent ones we think! It’s OK to have personality and a spring in your step, but there will be times no doubt that ego has taken over and this is something we must be careful of in any roles, but especially in education.

Imagine a world where every system leader placed the ladder down to aspirant leaders and opportunities for them to climb higher…now imagine if there was equitable access to the ladder for women leaders.  We would transform the education landscape of diversity, equity and inclusion, smashing through the glass/concrete ceilings and eradicating the gender pay gap! It is not about preferential treatment of others, but it is about encouraging, engaging and empowering others to find their voice and place.

As HeForShe I regard myself as a Barrier Removal Operative (BRO); helping women to identify barriers to their progression and supporting them to see and own their own issues, seek solutions, before then being #10% braver to act!  As men, we can act as HeForShe to help tackle issues & signpost additional support.  It is important that I am credible as a HeForShe ally, but it’s equally important to ensure that women are front and centre in addressing the issues, i.e. It is not all about me!

We’ve found it useful over the years to have an MOT test from others (Mission, Opportunity and Transparency) test. So, three questions to offer you.

• What’s your mission and who else is part of it?
• How are you giving opportunity to others?
• How transparent are you about your privilege and power?

If you’re up for a coffee with Sean and I or the #WomenEd movement to talk about these topics, then please reach out and be part of the conversation with us.

Patrick Ottley-O'Connor