Opportunities for women in innovation friendly workplaces

Three reasons: Demand for a different style of leadership Recognition of the value of diversity for innovation Possibility and benefits of flexible working conditions

What prevents women progressing? perception about the challenges associated with competing work-life priorities and the fact that women’s style is different from men’s—and not as valued; What stops women from reaching the top? Confronting the tough issues Bain & Company, 2011

1. Demand for a new style of management Traditional management Innovation management Task orientation People orientation Organisational control Individual empowerment Individual Team/Network Day-to-day work Tomorrow work Risk minimisation Experimentation /learning Individual outcomes Team outcomes The knowable The unknowable Reactive Proactive Internal focus External and internal focus

2. Value of diversity “Valuing diverse styles is key to improving gender equality in Australian companies” What stops women from reaching the top? Confronting the tough issues Bain & Company, 2011

“Successful innovation is not a single breakthrough. It is not a sprint. It is not an event for the solo runner. Successful innovation is a team sport, it's a relay race.” Nguyen Quyen Sponsor Critic Doer Specialist Ideas person User Opportunity finder Connector Listener

3. Possibility and benefits of flexible working Enablers Inhibitors Collaborative culture Lack of trust Managers support and encouragement Peer perceptions of selfishness Supporting technology (devices and systems) Viewed as a privilege Awareness of availability and potential benefits Fear of increased management workload Organisational policy and procedures Concerns about damage to promotional prospects Source: Julian Thompson, Prof. Edward Truch, The Flex Factor, RSA Action and Research Centre, July 2013, UK

Flexible work as a conscious strategy Improves innovation capacity Results in higher productivity Creates cost savings Creates motivation Source: Julian Thompson, Prof. Edward Truch, The Flex Factor, RSA Action and Research Centre, UK, July 2013,

Innovation centred people Centering Engaging Enabling Recognising People centred innovation Mindset Ability Opportunity Motivation

An innovation friendly workplace will Enable and inspire everyone to innovate Build a collaborative culture, based on trust Recognise the multiple roles and skills required for innovation Use technology to enhance work flexibility Adjust the notions of merit to reflect the new and different needs of organisational culture And therefore provide opportunities for women and other diverse groups.