KICKASS WOMEN

We are approaching the end of the first quarter of 2025! Can you believe it?! So, I did a bit of digging and summarising to share some valuable findings on key trends with you… WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025 is hefty, but here are some of the key findings we need to consider, as well as some questions that arise from them. 🚀 The Future of Jobs: What to Expect by 2030 The world of work is shifting fast. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights the key trends shaping global employment: 🔹 Tech & AI Dominate 60% of employers say broadening digital access will be the most transformative trend. AI, big data, cybersecurity, and automation are 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁. 🔹 Rising Cost of Living & Economic Uncertainty Half of businesses expect inflation & slower economic growth to transform their operations, increasing demand for resilience, flexibility, and creative thinking. 🔹 The Green Transition 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 & 𝗘𝗩 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁-𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴, as climate-change mitigation becomes a top priority. 🔹 Demographic Shifts & Workforce Gaps Aging populations are boosting demand for healthcare roles, while younger, growing populations fuel education and talent management jobs. 🔹 Skill Gaps = Biggest Barrier 𝗕𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬, 𝟯𝟵% 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟱𝟵% 𝗼𝗳𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴. Top skills in demand: ✅ AI & Big Data ✅ Leadership & Social Influence ✅ Resilience & Agility ✅ Creative Thinking 🔹 AI’s Workforce Impact 50% of companies plan to reorient their business around AI, with 66% hiring AI-skilled talent, while 40% anticipate job reductions due to automation. 📢 What does this mean for you? The future belongs to those who adapt, upskill, and stay ahead of change. How are you preparing for the workplace of 2030? So what are you waiting for … go on get your glo on! 🥾🦺👷♀️💫 .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #career #upskilling #technology #ai #women #leadership #womenempoweringwomen #kick_asswomen

I Saved You A Seat🤩🙋♀️ Last week, I attended a large IWD related lunch in a banquet hall filled with round tables draped in white tablecloths.   As I arrived, a new friend someone I’d met just a few weeks earlier at another event rushed over to greet me.   “I saved you a seat! There’s someone at our table I can’t wait for you to meet.”   This small, simple gesture was so thoughtful.   It led me to reflect. . .    What other small but impactful actions help people feel truly welcomed?    The daily opportunities we have to save someone a metaphorical seat, whether at work, in our communities, or in our personal lives.   For example: * Introducing ourselves to someone new. * Connecting a new employee with more seasoned team members. * Dropping off a grocery pack to the homeless charity organisation * Offering directions to someone who looks lost. Many organisations also build welcoming moments into their culture: * A “buddy system” where new employees are paired with a seasoned colleague (who isn’t their manager). * A welcome kit for new hires on their first day. * A handwritten welcome note, signed by all team members, for every new employee on their first day. As we head towards the end of the Women’s History Month it’s a great time to reflect on how we create spaces where everyone feels welcomed.   Have you seen or experienced any meaningful welcoming gestures lately? So, what are you waiting for … go on get your glo on! 🥾🦺👷♀️💫 .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #career #kindness #showkindness #Empowerment #women #leadership #womenempoweringwomen #kick_asswomen

Unite…Inspire…Succeed💫 Our Community EmpowerHER Collective is a unique, dynamic community that spans a wide range of industries and includes professionals in roles from Tradeswomen to Engineers, Sales & Marketing, Health & Fitness, HR, Lifestyle and Entrepreneurship. Our engaged audience offers you direct access to the right women across these key sectors, helping you grow your business, career and connect with influential professionals. These events have been designed to help women become empowered and effective communicators and leaders within our communities and region. The listen and learn bite size events are specifically limited to a 5–10-minute training bite or presentation and network until 9.30am. The perfect pre start session to the start of your workday or RDO🤩 Join us at Ocean International for the next EmpowerHER session on Tuesday 8th April from 8:30-9:30am For more details checkout the link below 👇 https://lnkd.in/gyxNrppu Unite…Inspire…Succeed💫 @regionaldevelopment @thejustsayingproject @fiercesignage @kickasswomen . . . . #empowerher #networking #listenandlearn #women #support #leadership #community #participation #oceansbarandgrill #bimonthly #mackay

In the tapestry of life, there are threads of resilience, woven with threads of vulnerability, creating a rich and intricate narrative of human experience. A woman’s journey is a testament to the beauty and complexity of this tapestry, a heartfelt exploration of our own odyssey through the shifting landscapes of love, loss, and rediscovery. There is no set definition, rather fluidity of sustenance A women’s resilience practices solid values, oozes in compassion and empathy and leads with heart. Above all she is authentic, and she is proud to be human, in all of its versions. She is a leader. A mother. A sister. A wife. A grandmother. A powerhouse. She is the CEO of her own existence. An agile, adaptable and influential role model in both theory and practice. A resilient woman doesn’t hide. She doesn’t see her ‘vulnerabilities’ as weakness. She allows herself to be emotional and hurt. She is unapologetic, unfiltered and unafraid of telling her story.  She is not strong, nor is she weak. She is adaptable and has an appetite for life, experiencing all of its flavours. Some good, some bad. She lives her ‘truth’. We self-love instead of self-loath. We stand up for ourselves so we are not mistreated at work or in relationships, we are assertive without devaluing others and have a self-image that is positive without being conceited. And when faced with challenges, women resilience show strength in their ability to minimise the impacts of distractibility, disengagement and avoid a space of self-absorption. With a resilient collective, the result is female leaders who are happy at work, tactically agile, and lead with purpose and optimism. And most importantly, they connect to the humanity that lies at the heart of everyone they meet. So, what are you waiting for … go on get your glo on! 🥾🦺👷♀️💫 .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #career #resilience #authenticity #strength #culture #Empowerment #women #leadership #womenempoweringwomen #kick_asswomen

The third annual Status of Women Report Card was unveiled on Saturday, 8 March 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Day. This report card champions “Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality,” outlining the Australian Government’s ambitious 10-year vision for achieving gender equality. It features the latest data and insightful analysis on the social and economic challenges faced by women and girls in Australia. Highlighting significant strides forward, it notes that Australians’ understanding of violence against women has markedly improved since 2013. The gender pay gap has seen a remarkable decline from a record-high of 18.6% a decade ago to 11.9%. Furthermore, women now hold an impressive 54.4% of Australian Government board positions, a substantial rise from 39.1% in 2015. However, the report card also draws attention to crucial areas where progress has slowed or stalled. In 2024, 37 women lost their lives at the hands of a current or former intimate partner, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. One in four women aged 45-64 report that symptoms related to menopause hinder their daily activities. Additionally, the gender pay gap for CEOs and heads of business in the private sector stands at 27.1%. This report card serves as a vital tool for tracking and measuring the ongoing progress of Working for Women. Each year, it shines a spotlight on key outcomes and indicators, emphasising the importance of continued effort to enhance the lives of women across Australia. View the Status of Women Report Card. https://lnkd.in/gE6Tbc7z #women #womenatwork #statusofwomen #equality #progress #moreworktodo #leadership

CAREER CLARITY WITH SOME HELP FROM AI Have you ever felt stuck in your career, unsure of your next move, or overwhelmed by the sheer number of options available? If so, I have a little secret to share: using AI can be incredibly powerful to help you gain career clarity and direction in your next move.   Whether you’re looking to pivot into a new field, grow in your current career path, or simply explore what’s possible, AI-powered tools can provide insights tailored to your unique skills, strengths, and interests.   Here’s how AI can help: Identifying careers that align with your skills and interests: AI tools analyse your experience and skills to suggest career paths you may not have considered. Providing industry and role insights: Learn about job trends, salary expectations, and in-demand skills before making a move. Personalised career advice: Get recommendations based on real-world data and personalised input. Two AI tools I recommend for career exploration:   ChatGPT I have been using ChatGPT for a while now and previously shared a post on how to use AI in your job search. And it’s also a great option for career exploration, like generating career insights and brainstorming roles that fit your background. Here are some prompts to try: “I have experience in [your field] and enjoy [your strengths/interests]. What are some career paths I might not have considered?” “I want to transition from [current role] to [desired role]. What skills should I focus on developing?” “Based on my experience in [industry] with skills in [list skills], what are some alternative career options?” “What are some common career paths for someone with strengths in [communication, problem-solving, leadership, etc.]?”   Grow With Google I recently came across this new tool from Google and it’s a lot of fun to use!! It helps job seekers discover career paths that align with their skills and interests.   Check it out here : https://lnkd.in/gjfCQbWE - - - -   Once you explore your career possibilities using AI, here are a few other actions I suggest you take: Talk to people in your target fields – Set up informational interviews to learn about real-world experiences. Gain new skills – Use platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, or Google’s free training programs. Uplevel your brand – Revamp your resume, LinkedIn, and networking strategy to align with your new direction. AI can’t make decisions for you, but it can give a head start and provide you with the insights you need to move forward with confidence. So, if you’re feeling stuck, give it a try. Your next career move may be just a few prompts away :)   Let me know if you give either a try - I’d love to hear about your experience. So what are you waiting for … go on get your glo on! 🥾🦺👷♀️💫 .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #career #ai #clarity #chtgpt #dreamer #influence #impact #Empowerment #women #leadership #womenempoweringwomen #kick_asswomen

Unlearning Silence: Voicing Our Worth Silence significantly impacts gender and cultural dynamics in the workplace, often rooted in deep-seated beliefs that make it challenging to “just speak up.” Many of us internalise the idea that our voices aren’t worthy of being heard, influenced by our upbringing, education, and workplace cultures. Women, in particular, may have been taught that respect comes from remaining quiet, leading to a decline in the number of questions we ask as adults, down from over 100 a day in childhood to just six. In professional settings, this silence is often mistaken for teamwork, but it can hinder career advancement. The “babble hypothesis” suggests that those who speak more are perceived as leaders. This narrow view neglects the value of listening in effective management, prompting many women to reconsider their pursuit of leadership roles. IT’S NOT JUST ABOUT TALKING MORE. . . Questioning the babble hypothesis highlights an important aspect of my work: unlearning silence isn’t just about learning to talk more or more loudly. Rather, it’s about being true to ourselves when it comes to our personal silence. For too long, this trait has been weaponised, an expectation or requirement forced on certain groups and lifted from others.  I stress that we often don’t know why people are being silent, and we can’t disregard the safety that silence can provide. Unlearning silence isn’t merely about speaking more; it’s about staying true to oneself. Silence can provide safety, but we must examine who benefits from it, ourselves or those who silence us. Managers can foster a culture that encourages open communication by reassessing policies that may not serve their team’s needs, such as meeting times and communication styles. It’s essential to clarify expectations around participation to ensure everyone feels included. Ultimately, these traditional practices deserve reevaluation. I invite you to share your experiences with unlearning silence: where did it begin for you, and how do you assert your voice? So, what are you waiting for … go on get your glo on! 🥾🦺👷♀️💫 .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #career #useyourvoice #speakup #voiceyourworth #impact #Empowerment #women #leadership #womenempoweringwomen #kick_asswomen

This month is Women’s History month but this week incorporates International Women’s Day, where we need to rise under the theme “March Forward for All Women and Girls.” It’s a powerful call to action, urging us to advance, uplift, and break barriers for every woman and girl, everywhere. International Women’s Day on March 8 is about action, not just reflection. Each of us has the power to create change in our spaces. Leaders should advocate for policies that support women; colleagues must amplify women’s voices; and male allies should consistently advocate for women everywhere. And to every woman reading this: Keep going. Keep taking up space, using your voice, and demanding what you deserve. Your presence, leadership, and ambition are invaluable. Marching Forward, Together As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, remember: progress is not linear, and equality is not guaranteed. Yet together, we can accelerate change. Let’s commit to creating a world where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive, lead, and succeed every single day. The future is ours to shape. Let’s march forward and. . . Empower Her Voice, Elevate Her Future! #QWW25 #marchforward #IWD25 #IWD #women #empoweredwomenempowerwomen #leadership #equality #futureisfemale #mentors #rolemodels #kickasswomen

THE WOMAN IN THE ARENA It is not the critic who counts; not the woman who points out how the strong woman stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the woman who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends herself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if she fails, at least fails while DARING GREATLY, so that her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. THEODORE ROOSEVELT So what are you waiting for … go on, get your glow on! 🥾🦺👷♀️💫 .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ .⁣ #career #resilience #brave #daringgreatly #selfconfidence #thewomaninthearena #empowering #empowerment #women #leadership #womenempoweringwomen #kick_asswomen

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE “GLASS CLIFF”? The “glass cliff” refers to the phenomenon in business that women have a better chance of breaking through the glass ceiling and being appointed into positions of senior leadership only when an organisation is facing a crisis. There are numerous cases throughout recent history where we see such a phenomenon; an oganisation on the brink of destruction suddenly brings in a female CEO, usually for the first time to replace the male leader responsible for the current turmoil. We’ve seen this firsthand here in Australia with female leaders like Michele Bullock at the Reserve Bank of Australia, Leah Weckert at Coles, Amanda Bardwell at Woolworths and Vanessa Hudson at Qantas. The female executive is always highly qualified, but she is left with what sometimes turns out to be a problem already beyond fixing. In the case of business, we seem to perceive feminine-coded qualities such as empathy, communication, and emotional intelligence as best-suited to right the ship. One big problem with this approach is that failures in business are notorious for reflecting very differently on male and female leaders. Men, especially white men, have a tendency to “fail upwards,” their unsuccessful endeavors woven into the lore of their rise to prominence. Meanwhile, many women leaders are dogged by past failures throughout their careers. BE CAUTIOUS AND MINDFUL First of all, be wary. If it feels like a high-risk ticking time bomb, it likely is, so do your due diligence. Decide if you’re willing to be associated with this situation. If the answer is still a tentative yes, then be vigilant in asking for what you need to have the best chance of repairing the problem. Whether it’s budget, or staff, or policy adjustments, make your acceptance of the role contingent on approval of these pieces. It’s possible this just isn’t the right opportunity for you - and I’m confident it won’t be the last. SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITY There’s another way to look at all this, though. Even if you acknowledge that you might be receiving this opportunity because you’re a woman albeit a highly skilled and capable one, it’s still a chance. If you can withstand the potential fallout, perhaps you should capitalise on the chance, however rooted in gender-biased blinders it might be. If your “feminine skills” give you the best crack at this promotion, and you believe you have the know-how and strategy to straighten things out, then be as persuasive as you can and get that promotion! What has your experience with the “glass cliff” been? Which of these two possible approaches speaks to you? So what are you waiting for … go on get your glo on! 🥾🦺👷♀️💫 . . . . #career #glasscliff #crisismanagement #womenceos #boardroomseats #bias #glassceiling #jobtips #empowering #empowerment #women #leadership #womenempoweringwomen #kick_asswomen