We can't bring about change if we don't.
It's clear that younger generations notice what others are doing. Research has shown the top career choices for young girls in New Zealand remain traditional female-dominated jobs like hairdressers, air hostesses and teachers.
Girls see women doing these jobs well and can imagine themselves doing the same. We owe it to them -- perhaps they're our sisters, daughters or nieces -- to show them that women also hold leading positions in business, government and other fields. In reality, the number of women at senior levels in business has been steadily growing in recent years.
Women may be under-represented in senior roles, but when it comes to being seen and heard it can almost seem like they're not there at all.
At ANZ, they include our Chief Financial Officer, Head of Marketing and Head of Products.
But many girls have grown up hard-pressed to see or hear from many. The new reality is often not reflected in the business spokespeople they see in the media, though we know many women are approached for comment. Often they are reluctant or unavailable to front for their organisation.
Even within their organisations, women can be reluctant to put themselves forward. Like many others, I let years pass without voicing my career ambition. I thought my good work would speak for itself. I had the experience and ability, and a keen desire to move to another level.
But we don't work for mind-readers. I needed to take that step, to actually voice my ambitions, demonstrating that I had career aspirations.
Once I did, change happened and career opportunities were given to me. Today I'm in a position to support others in their ambitions, as the head of Human Resources at New Zealand's largest bank.
Why do so many capable, high-achieving women cringe at the idea of putting themselves forward, when a male colleague might jump at the opportunity? Here are five typical roadblocks many women leaders must overcome to stand up and be noticed:
"I don't want the limelight"
Building your profile is an important part of succeeding in business. It might not be in your job description, but you will do your career a big favour by building a marketable personal brand. And, you will be helping to promote your organisation, increasingly expected of senior leaders today.
"I don't know enough"
It's easy to think you need to be an encyclopaedia of knowledge on a topic before you can talk about it. I've seen women turn down an opportunity, then look on in frustration as someone less knowledgeable takes the limelight with their views.
The lesson is clear: back yourself. Be honest about what you don't know, but within what you do know you're likely to have plenty of observations and insights to share. By sharing them you'll reinforce, to yourself as well as others, that you're an authority worth listening to.
"No one would care what I think"
If you know your subject and are an expert in your field then people will be interested in your opinion. There will always be someone more qualified but that doesn't make your opinion any less valid. Your opinion is actually what many other women are interested in.
"I've had a bad experience talking to media"
If there are specific issues or inaccuracies point them out to the journalist. But try to stay focused on the big picture -- journalists want to speak to you because they feel you'll have something of value to say. They're right, as long as you say it. Front up, try to build relationships and see your media activity as an opportunity to build your profile. Have a good photo you can share, so you don't fret about how you look.
"I'm not on social media"
Well, you should be. Social media is where your customers are, it's where many of your peers are and it's where you'll be noticed. I soon realised that by not being on social media I was missing out on an entire community. The important conversations of the day are increasingly playing out online and as a modern business leader you need to be part of it. Open a Twitter account, tidy up your LinkedIn profile and get connected.
ANZ is determined to show some leadership of its own.
Earlier this year we launched our award-winning Notable Women programme which provides training and support to encourage senior female leaders to become more active at industry events, in the news media and on social media.
Felicity Evans is General Manager Human Resources at ANZ New Zealand
ANZ was a finalist for this year's Diversity Leader.
