If you had a collective of Super Women by your side, what help would you ask for? This was the question that Are Media’s Jane Huxley asked more than 800 incredible attendees at B&T’s Women in Media awards in August this year.
Last week on B&T’s Superwomen Series we spoke to Women In Media Power List inductees Nat Havery and Jacquie Alley and Glass Ceiling winner Vanessa Liell about celebrating wins and helping the next generation soar. To view last week’s instalment click here.
The women of the Australian media, marketing and advertising spoke out loudly, sharing their biggest fears and doubts. So, now, in partnership with Are Media, B&T has called upon our legion of superwomen – that’s our winners and the Women in Media Power List inductees – to guide this generation of women through some of the industry’s most consistent problems.
This week, we tackle questions on balance with Power List inductee Jasmin Bedir, CEO at Innocean Australia and Rising Star Jessica Brackstone, senior strategist at Leo.
How do I chase ambition… while still being the mother my kids need?
Jasmin Bedir: The honest truth is the system is so rigged against mothers that it’s impossible to chase ambition and have babies without some heavy toll. And this is not going to change until we make it okay for men wanting to share the load. Women can only spend more time in their careers if men spend more time in caring roles at home.
In the meantime, I’m trying to make it as easy as possible for mums to have the flexibility they need in their roles to reconcile work and family life.
How do I stay true to myself when I’m being pulled in a million directions and told to fit someone else’s mould?
Bedir: Well, you can’t. But everything is a trade-off and knowing where to draw the line is worth a lot. All I can say is, “This shall pass too,” and this may be a great learning experience in resilience, but possibly also about what not to do in the future as a leader.
Jess Brackstone: Being true to myself boils down to the simple truth that I am motivated to make compelling, interesting work that is culturally resonant and delivers commercial impact. Everyone at Leo Australia is driven by this same ambition.
When there’s tension in the collaborative process, it’s a positive thing – it means all people in the team are advocating for what they believe is the most optimal way forward. You can’t begrudge that. Part of navigating these partnerships and processes with integrity means pushing through the tension points when I really believe, and can demonstrate, how we can make the work better.
How do I set boundaries without guilt and believe I am worth saying no to protect myself?
Bedir: Hmmh, in workplaces with a great culture, saying no and having boundaries is usually not an issue. You would have understanding managers who care about you and your ability to deliver long-term.
If unjustified guilt is the issue, then that’s a problem you may want to dwell on further from a psychological perspective, as this will even persist in the healthiest of work environments. Self-sacrifice and people-pleasing will lead to burnout in the long term and are not a great recipe for long-term job satisfaction.
Brackstone: In terms of protecting my time, strategy is a discipline where head space needs to be protected. As an industry I think sometimes we have an unhealthy obsession with speed, and there are moments where it’s important that the thinking isn’t hurried. Ensuring we all have a healthy respect for one another’s roles and contribution makes it easier to navigate competing priorities and painful timelines.
Setting clear boundaries, saying no and pushing for breathing room or a change in approach is important – fatigued and rushed thinking doesn’t benefit anyone. To get closer to something excellent and exciting, it’s a no brainer to protect space to achieve that.
