To see women in property lighting the way for so many other powerful young women is both encouraging and enlightening. The Ridge spoke to four dynamic women who are doing just that.
It goes without saying that being a woman in 2022 is far easier than it used to be 50 years ago, but we still see women having to fight for equality, we still see women working harder to earn respect, and we still see women balancing careers, motherhood and studies.
With KZN’s property market booming, ladies in Tongaat Hulett Property’s management team are leading the way within the business as well as within the property industry.
We asked Helen McCarthy (Land Management Executive), Teboho Selatile (Development Executive), Karen Peterson (Development Executive) and Kate Ralfe (Lead Planning Executive) some questions about their experiences and advice about being a woman in a male-dominated industry.
As a female professional in a male-dominated industry, what are some of the biggest challenges and lessons you have learnt so far?
Kate: I do think that as a woman there is more scrutiny on you and one definitely feels the pressure to succeed. I have worked hard to get as much exposure in different areas of the property industry as possible, and not just be limited to town planning. Ensuring I have sound technical knowledge has certainly helped. There have been multiple times people have assumed I am the secretary and am just in a meeting to take minutes or pour tea.
The one disadvantage of my gender in the position I am in, has been that I have had to be very careful of travelling to remote places on my own.
What are some of the sacrifices you have made over the years to get to where you are?
Teboho: You have to accept you can’t have it all. Society has placed specific gender norms on women, but you have to decide what you want out of life.
I’ve had to work incredibly long hours (including public holidays and weekends) to reach project deadlines. I have missed birthdays and celebrations. I’ve missed the dating scene during my younger days. I’ve had to continually code-switch and live outside my comfort zone as, over 10 years later, I still battle with being the only black person or only female in many project teams. There are far more comfortable career paths I could have chosen, but none would have been as rewarding as construction and real estate.
What advice would you give to other women in business who are trying to get into management positions, especially in male-dominated roles or industries?
Karen: I have a whole lot of advice.
- Be willing to learn. We grow and enhance our development when we are willing to learn from others, their experiences, lessons and insights.
- Never say no to additional work beyond your immediate job description (at least initially). That’s the only way you increase your knowledge base and skills. I’d even go as far as saying volunteer for more responsibility. This way you expand your role and become more visible to those who matter.
- Look for a mentor who will both inspire and guide you on your professional development – someone who shows a genuine interest in your well-being and therefore be better placed to understand your needs and goals.
- Don’t be scared to ask questions. No question is stupid and it will show people that you are humble and don’t think you’re above them.
- Arm yourself with additional knowledge and skills by attending extra courses that can assist you in your career, for example, a finance for non-financial managers course. Skills and courses will strengthen your CV and show your colleagues and industry peers that you have the necessary credentials and are willing to learn.
- Do not underestimate the power of good qualifications and professional registration with the relevant body/council. This builds your credibility with your peers and in the industry. No one can take these away from you.
- Accept that it will take time and that you need to pay your dues. Be patient and enjoy the learning along the way. Success doesn’t come overnight.
- Lastly, remember you are a lady. You will often find yourself as the only woman in a boardroom full of men. Learn to be flexible and adaptable (it’s not a sin to make a cup of tea for the elderly consultant next to you), and while men can swear, we can’t. Manage your dual roles well, as a professional and a woman.
How do you think women can play a role in empowering other women to reach their full potential within business and climb the corporate/business ladder?
Teboho: Embrace every new female entrant to the field and do not sugarcoat the challenges you’ve faced. We should probably demand “girl’s clubs” – innovation hubs where we can share ideas and business solutions during working hours.
Kate: Sharing knowledge and supporting each other can be a major help. Helping each other with networking opportunities and mentoring young women entering the field is also important.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the next generation of female leaders?
Helen: I believe the work/home balance could become even more difficult to maintain if females do not place firm personal boundaries in their lives, as working into the evenings and over weekends has become the norm. On the other side however, more flexible hours could suit women to be able to attend their children’s activities.
If you could give just one piece of leadership advice, what would it be?
Karen: Leadership is not about your title or designation. It’s more about impact, influence, and inspiration. It’s more about action than position.
“I believe we should be consciously supporting fellow women across the full business ladder and should be providing as much mentorship as possible to women who show potential. We need to empower and build other women up to reach their full potential within business. We need to allow women to grow and thrive in their positions and help them rise,” ends Helen.