Finding the Leader Within You
During the first week of the All-England Lawn Tennis Championships, Wimbledon hosted a significant event focusing on leadership and gender equality across the sports landscape. Organised in conjunction with Wimbledon, ITF Officiating and the ITF’s Gender Equality Programme Advantage All, the panel titled “Finding the Leader Within You” brought together key leaders across the industry.
The Panellists included Sandi Procter, President of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA); Clare Barrell, World Rugby Director of Investments & Member Services and member of the IWG UK Steering Committee; and Susie Kenny-Smith, a leadership consultant. Eva Asderaki- Moore, an experienced ITF and Grand Slam Chair Umpire moderated the session.
The event saw the participation of 80 officials, with a notable near 50-50 male-female representation.
The session delved into various aspects of leadership dynamics, particularly focusing on how attendees could harness and manage their skills in their professional lives. One of the primary topics discussed was the challenge of making one’s voice heard in male-dominated environments. Clare Barell emphasised, “The imposter syndrome is always there, but you must show that you don’t need to prove anything to anyone… I seek out help now; you must show yourself a little bit vulnerable and appreciate the help from others.” This sentiment resonated with many in the room, highlighting the importance of vulnerability and seeking support.
Lean into the uncomfortable.
– Susie Kenny-Smith.
Imposter syndrome was a recurring theme throughout the discussion. Sandi Procter, shared her personal experience, saying, “I felt the imposter syndrome as a person, not just as a female. I was a tennis coach and teacher and was faced with high-brained people, so I found a mentor who luckily guided me and made me believe in myself that I have a contribution to make.”
Building confidence and resilience was another critical topic. Sandi Procter attributed her resilience to embracing from errors, stating, “My resilience comes a lot from learning from my mistakes. The number of sleepless nights I had for thinking I made a mistake was enormous, now I tell myself that everything will work out.”
Clare Barell furthered this, saying “If you fall down deep, you stand up and keep going. I am proud of myself for never feeling discouraged to continue!”
Susie Kenny-Smith provided insights into what it takes to become a leader, emphasising the necessity of stepping out of one’s comfort zone. “When feeling very uncomfortable with a new challenge, it takes me that next step to realise the achievement I just made… Focus on enjoying the moment rather than worrying,” She noted. Susie also highlighted the positive side of imposter syndrome, viewing it as a sign of personal growth and new challenges.
Balancing career, personal life, and passions is a universal challenge, and the panellists offered valuable advice. Susie Kenny-Smith advocated for self-support and proactivity, encouraging women to “lean into the uncomfortable and learn from your mistakes.” Susie’s advice to “lead yourself, know yourself and your strengths…Once you lead yourself it makes it easier for others to follow you,” provided a powerful takeaway for many.
The panel also discussed the importance of male allies in the journey towards gender equality. “It’s very important to have male allies, it is also important for women to step up into their own leadership rather than emulating what men do,” Susie explained, underscoring the need for authentic leadership.
“Diversity in teams brings a broad range of thoughts and that’s the enriching thing,” Sandi added, with Susie furthering that, “Equality is a benefit for everybody, it is a matter of being more aware and caring about each other.”
As the session concluded, the advice to younger selves encapsulated the panellists’ experiences and wisdom. Sandi Proctor advised,” Recognise your potential earlier.”
The event “Finding the Leader Within You” highlighted the collective effort required to foster gender equality and leadership development within the sports industry and beyond. The rich exchange of experiences and insights left a lasting impact on participants, inspiring them to embrace their leadership potential and advocate for a more inclusive future. The success event emphasised the ITF’s ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all.