WOMEN IN SECURITY Jeannette Jackson Security Operations Manager, Thales Australia
Thales Australia Leading provider of defence capability for the Australian Government, including security, aerospace and transportation solutions Explosive Ordnance Manage Armouries Develop Weapons Build Protective Vehicles Provide Air Traffic Control OneSky Hawkei Program $1.2 Billion Civil and Military combined in one integrated system 2
Thales World-Wide 56 Countries 67,000 employees Australia 35 Sites 3,300 employees 3
Security Operations Manager, Thales Australia Physical Security Personnel Security Information Security 4
Overview Skills women bring to the security industry How these skills benefit the industry Why women are currently under-represented How Australia is addressing the issue The skills women bring will strengthen and develop our security industry 5
Women s Skills Communication Emotional Intelligence Developing Others Building Rapport 6
Women s Skills Communication Women use different styles of communication than men Sharing, not competing Encouraging Ask good questions to gain clear, broad understanding Active listeners 7 I believe that being willing and able to actively listen is a vital skill for any leader. It s not only the right thing to do but an antidote to arrogance, and it also leads to competitive advantages. Meg Whitman, CEO Hewlett-Packard
Women s Skills EQ - Emotional Intelligence Ability to identify, use, understand and manage emotions in positive ways to: - Relive stress - Communicate effectively - Empathise with others - Overcome challenges - Diffuse conflict 8
Women s Skills Women naturally possess high EQ levels Cope with pressure Build trust Negotiate Influence without authority Navigate workplace politics Take smart risks Avoid reckless risks Are resilient 9
Women s Skills 10
Emotional Intelligence Emotions guide everything we do. Indeed, emotional intelligence is regarded as a far stronger predictor of success in work, love and life than traditional measures of intelligence, with 90% of leadership success being attributed to a high EQ. Daniel Goleman, Author, Emotional Intelligence 11
Women s Skill Strengths Developing Others Provide an inclusive environment Give honest, candid feedback Spend time helping, developing others Mentor and coach others 12
Women s Skill Strengths Building Rapport Openly share ideas Very social and collaborative Natural defence to conflict Master non-verbal communication skills Build meaningful relationships 13 Women provide a supportive, positive culture and therefore a more productive environment
Women s Skills Benefit Security Roles Security Operations Manager, Thales Australia Security investigations for the company - Need to get to the truth and facts - Barriers: Personalities, egos, defensiveness, withdrawal, fear Required high levels of Emotional Intelligence Selecting the right communication style was the key to success Businesses will miss out if they don t use both male and female communication styles. 14
Women s Skills Benefit Security Roles Security Risk Management Teams need a women s perspective Use a broad perspectives Take smart risks Avoid reckless risks 15
Women s Skills Benefit Security Roles Managing Security Incidents Paris Terrorist Attack - Communication was vital - People fearful and vulnerable - Needed support, listening, compassion, empathy and sympathetic understanding 16
Women s Skills Benefit Security Roles Team Management Women develop a cohesive, collaborative, connected team: - Nurtured - Encouraged - Supported People feel empowered to: - Contribute ideas - Speak up - Talk about challenges - Create solutions 17
Women s Skills Benefit Security Roles A balance approach Women have excellent abilities for managing and developing teams - Communication - Emotional Intelligence - Taking Initiative - Developing others - Building Rapport Combine this will the strengths men bring = A balanced, well-rounded approach. 18
Why Aren t There More Women in Security? Old Fashioned Perceptions Dominated by males Culture of strength, aggression, uniformed personnel, guards, bouncers and iron bars 19
Why Aren t There More Women in Security? Our Profession Has Evolved! Human relations Negotiations Diffusing high, emotionally charged situations, Connecting and communicating Leading people / teams 20
Why Aren t There More Women in Security? How Can We Change? Change the culture and perception - Encourage women - Recognise their strengths - Employ women - Promote women 21
Australia s Changing Security Culture Security is becoming a high profile position Australia has established: Security Professionals Australasia Registry of Security Professionals 22
Australia s Changing Security Culture Australia s future plan To create a Bachelor of Security Management Degree Establish a set, academically acknowledged Career path Change the old-fashioned perceptions Close the missing link Attract men and women Create diverse teams 23
Summary Encourage, employ and promote women in security Women bring valuable skills to the security industry Their skills benefit our industry Women are still under-represented Australia is stepping forward to address this issue We hope you will too! 24
Questions Questions? 25
WOMEN IN SECURITY Encourage, Recognise, Employ and Promote Women The skills women bring will strengthen and develop our security industry