Expertise

Janice Brannigan is the Managing Director of Facilities Solutions at Bidvest Noonan. Janice has had a transformative impact as a leader in our business. In the run-up to International Women’s Day, we asked her to share her view on the importance of female leadership.

Pat Byrne is an Area Supervisor at Bidvest Noonan, and an experienced one too! Pat took the long route to get where he is today and is something he is very much proud of. We want to share his unique perspective on life and how it helped forge his career.

“A colleague recently approached me who was struggling with his self-worth and questioned whether he had the ability to progress his career. He felt since he left secondary school, he was constantly being overlooked because did not have a college degree. I was able to empathise with him as I experienced a similar situation too. I wasn’t fortunate enough to attend college, but it never stopped my appetite to forge a career and get to where I am today.

I told him he wasn’t alone with his worries, and there are many others who often struggle to see a clear career path. I shared with him how my outlook changed when I changed my mindset. I firmly agree with the great Arthur Ashe. He says you should “start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can”. I focussed on my strengths, my abilities, and making people see the type of person I am. I believe that as long as you are putting in the graft, you will be noticed. “What’s for you won’t pass you by“.

I have seen first-hand how someone can go all the way to the top in a company by going down the long road. I believe inspiration is all around us, so do not let one person or job define you. Work hard enough and one day you will reap the rewards. Think positive, stay motivated, and above all else, back yourself.”

Editor’s Note:

Subsequent to writing this piece for us, Pat was invited to attend a Train the Trainer course helping him to take the next step on his journey.

What are some traits you think great leaders possess?

For me, I admire a person that is decisive and works with great integrity, a leader that has humility. Someone that can inspire others to make a difference and has unwavering resilience.

Which woman has inspired you the most and why?

My Sister Patricia, older by 4 years. I always looked up to and adored my sister, she was my biggest supporter and my toughest critic, always there to guide and mentor me. She most certainly kept my feet on the ground and was brilliant at helping me tease out any difficult decision. She was in banking for most of her life and had such a unique way of connecting with people. Later in her life, she took a risk, which paid off, and swapped banking for a life in the music industry, unsurprisingly she excelled there too. She had a can-do attitude that was infectious and had the unique ability to make people feel that they were capable of everything, she passed away from Ovarian Cancer in June 2017 at the age of 45.

How have you developed your confidence as a leader?

My passion is people, supporting and ensuring people feel connected to purpose, that they are enabled to do their job successfully and bring their best every day.

I have always felt this and believed this is what makes a difference. From my first role as a team leader to my role now as a Director, these values remain for me and I am dedicated to enhancing my team so that they feel that connection.

Confidence grows over time and with experiencing disappointments and failures. I have these experiences on occasion and I have grown from them. It’s tough, and its stings but it’s key to your own development. 

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions?

Do not feel you need to be everything to everyone, understand your strengths and play to them. If you are a natural ideas person, be that. Equally, if you are better at analysing the idea once presented, then do that. There is space for everyone at the table, once you have that realisation your confidence grows as does your contribution.

What are some of the traits that leader possesses?

I have been fortunate to work with strong leaders throughout my career. There are a few things that strong leaders seem to have in common: they know their strengths, they keep learning, they look to work with people who are different from them, and they work hard at honing their technical and soft skills.

What do women leaders bring that is unique?

I think women leaders bring different perspectives. Women are well represented in our societies, in our customer bases, and our workplaces. Building empathy as an organisation with the traits and needs of that group is valuable. Our perspective as women leaders equips us to formulate solutions that can benefit our teams and our communities more holistically.

In your work situation, it is often women leaders that become your biggest allies. They are often the first to recognise that you are putting in the effort and loving what you do. Determine who your allies might be and start working out how you can earn more of their trust.

Which woman has inspired you the most?

When I was very young, I had a friend whose mother was a small business owner. This lady loved her job! She worked long hard hours, sometimes late into the evening. She sourced meals from people that cooked better than she did. She devised ways to do mundane tasks faster. Watching her showed me that the boundaries we experience are often self-imposed. She taught me that it is okay, in fact it is great, to delegate tasks that you’re not good at to people who can do them well. She taught me that you can be successful in your career while still loving your family. She said you can have it all but takes hard work to achieve it. She also taught me that, in some ways, women have more choices than men do. I always try to remember these when I want to retain strong female colleagues! She made such an enormous impact on me as a little girl and has helped me become the leader I am today

What advice do you have for women aiming for leadership positions?

From my experience, leadership is a journey rather than a destination. You have to keep working at your technical and soft skills, stretching your abilities, and practicing your humility by doing new things and feeling uncomfortable every so often. Get used to making mistakes and apologising sincerely. Invest in relationships at all levels. Most of all, find joy in your job, it makes you an easier leader to follow.

It’s time for change and women in positions of power can give voices to those without.

In your opinion, what defines a great leader? What do you think is unique about female leaders?

For me, one of the fundamentals of being a great leader is being true to yourself. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not, be you, and lead by your values. Build integrity and credibility by always striving to do the right thing. A great leader should be open and honest and have respect and understanding for others.

The ability to listen and learn is important. Work on the basis that you may not have all the answers but as a team, you will collectively find the answers together. Having a clear vision of what you want and following through is what sets leaders apart.

Female leaders are strong, powerful, and driven. We address the elephant in the room and confidently challenge stereotypes. For us, it’s not about competition and tearing each other down but it’s about universally lifting us up so we can bring out the best in each other. 

As a female leader, I believe that my humility and tenderness bring out the best in people.  I also believe that my astuteness, drive, and passion can help develop others to become future leaders. I strongly believe there’s a place for everyone at the table and success is a group effort.

Why is it so important that women have leadership positions?

It is vital we leave a legacy for years to come, that women can achieve at least as much as our male counterparts. We need to continue creating a culture that normalises growth for women in business. Supporting each other on this journey is incredibly important. We need to praise each other for our individual expertise and what we bring to the table.

As a woman in a leadership role myself, I feel passionate about creating an equal playing field when it comes to career progression and equal opportunities. Women in leadership roles can use ‘their powers for good’ by driving fair and transparent practices and challenging the status quo.  It’s time for change and women in positions of power can give voices to those without.

Who has inspired you the most and why?

I’m proud to say it’s my mum! She came to England in 1979 not speaking a word of English.  She taught herself English and secured employment and started earning her own money. During this time, she experienced many forms of discrimination including the colour of her skin, ethnicity, and gender. However, she continued to strive to achieve. From an early age, my mum always instilled in me that if you wanted something, you had to go out and work for it.

What advice do you have for aspiring women aiming for leadership positions?

You are the key to your own success! The only person that can stop you from succeeding is yourself.  Forget any stereotypes or expectations the world has of you. If you want something strong enough, don’t let anything stop you, and make sure you go for it. Work hard, show your worth, and reap the results – the sky is the limit.