As we celebrate International Women’s Day across Meridian Trust, we spoke with Julie Bidwell, Director of Meridian Learning, who has been instrumental in supporting the network of females across the Trust. Julie shares her insights and the benefits in the newly created ‘Lean In Circles’ for Women throughout Meridian Trust Schools.
What inspired the creation of the Lean In Circles programme at Meridian Trust?
We have developed our bespoke school-to-school female leader training over the last few years, and through Trust training days and Meridian Learning activities, we had been made aware of topics pertinent to women aspiring to lead or who are already in leadership positions. It is undisputed that women across the globe face challenges in their careers because of their gender, and those challenges and bias are greater for women of colour and those with disabilities. We became aware of Sheryl Sandberg, the founder of Lean In, through her support in research and publications and researched the Lean In’s Leadership Curriculum, known as the ‘play list.’ From that we designed two Meridian Trust ‘Lean In circles’: ‘Meridian Women in Leadership’ and ‘Meridian Women of Colour.’
How does the programme support women’s professional growth and leadership development?
Lean In Circles provide a supportive space for women to grow personally and professionally. The Lean In Foundation provides all resources and materials free of charge for partners running circle meetings, and these resources are backed by research.
A typical one hour Lean In Circle meeting is part leadership workshop and part support network, each meeting considering one topic from the ‘play list,’ for example, understanding and dealing with bias, microaggressions, making assertiveness work and work life balance. All discussion topics are supported by short videos to initiate discussion and offer research-backed advice, which we blend with the work of authors such as Brene Brown.
What makes Lean In Circles different from traditional staff development initiatives?
The programme tackles challenges faced by women at work head on. Some programmes for women in leadership can avoid how to deal with the challenging situation, underline otherness and seek to change the women. Lean In circles consider appealing, research-backed resources and data, which, along with the quality of discussion and activities, offers support and advice.
What have been some key takeaways from women who have participated?
Whilst the two Meridian circles are only halfway through the playlist chosen, they have been very popular with group members, reflected in positive evaluations. Members feel supported, valued and empowered by hearing others’ experiences and by knowing that support is available. Some members shared they have developed, “A sense of comfort and empowerment,” and sessions are, “Really thought provoking and helpful”.
How can organisations ensure that staff development initiatives like this reach a diverse range of women?
That is always a challenge, but when we first set up the circles, we used existing networks, champions and opportunities to make women aware that the circles were starting. We have worked hard to support and embed into the trust’s work on DEEI and through Meridian Learning. We have had some late entrants to the circles because word is spreading.
What are the future goals for the Lean In Circles programme?
Initially, we want to build on the circles that we have, then introduce a small number of pilots for a new circle: ‘Lean In Girls’, which is a leadership programme for girls aged 11-15 years. Lean In Girls helps girls to see themselves as leaders in a world that often tells them they’re not. We want to equip girls to be self-assured, resilient, and inclusive everyday leaders and inspire them to lead boldly. The programme offers a balance of strength-building activities and real talk on important topics like bias and allyship and rejecting limiting stereotypes about what girls can’t do.
What advice would you give to other organisations looking to start a similar initiative?
Go for it! Align yourself with the Lean In Foundation. The resources are excellent and their support and training to run a circle has removed hours of preparation and administration time. Attendance at our circles has remained high and everyone, including the circle leads, has gained a great deal from attending just 1 hour online every few weeks.
