On 8 March, we celebrate International Women’s Day to showcase our commitment to women’s equality, celebrate achievements, and raise awareness. This year’s theme is #BreakTheBias which highlights the importance of collectively calling out gender bias, discrimination and stereotyping when we see it. 

We caught up with Janet Coulthurst, Chief of Staff at 6point6, to find out about her career journey and her experience as a woman in leadership.

Janet, tell us about your background.

My 30-year career has been about doing lots of different things that I’m passionate about rather than having a well-masterminded plan. At university, I studied what I loved, Spanish, without thinking about what job it might lead to, and I have zero regrets about that. 

I worked my way into marketing and communications in my first job at Pace Micro Technology who made set-top boxes for digital TV. Doing PR for a business that has quickly gone from nothing to being in loads of international markets was an amazing experience. I learned the power that great communication can have and I saw its impact first-hand when we floated the company in the 90s.

Early in my career, I was determined to stay and work in my hometown, Bradford, because I wanted to contribute to making it a better place to live. I had brilliant jobs at the National Media Museum and the University of Bradford’s world-renowned Peace Studies department. My career choices were based on what would give me flexibility, make me feel proud and expose me to things I hadn’t done before. 

At one point, I did a four-year job in government communications at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which led to brilliant opportunities later as an interim manager in private sector businesses delivering government contracts. The civil service gets a bad rap sometimes but I think it’s a gift to have the opportunity to work on government projects that are complex, meaningful and have the potential to improve society.

Was there ever a downside to being a woman at work?

When I had my son, I had to change my outlook and decide whether I was going to climb the corporate ladder or focus on my family. At the time, it was fairly binary. Working remotely was not common, but my company set this up despite the difficulties (modems and dial-up!) and I was able to work from home for three months before going back full time. Soon after, we had a stand at a huge trade show and a senior male manager who also had a new baby asked what I was doing there and how on earth could I leave mine for 3 days. My answer was – “exactly the same way you can.” We had the technology to support women working flexibly and a mega progressive HR department, but not everyone believed in it. Sometimes you have to innovate and then wait for attitudes to catch up.

What was your first senior management position and do you think there was a shift in your behaviour and those around you?

My first senior management position was at a retail Co-operative. It was the first time I experienced status and perks like a car allowance, expenses and fuel card and for a little while, I felt like I had made it. Then I realised all that glitters is not gold! I had to make difficult business decisions that impacted people’s lives. I can honestly say I found a big conflict between being human and making the right decision for the business. It was traumatic but, nowadays I think you can do both.

It was also the point when I realised that when you reach a certain level, you will never really know what is going on anymore. People are not as open with you once you are a member of leadership no matter how much you encourage them or how much you tell the truth. That doesn’t mean you should stop trying.

How did you get into tech?

It’s the one time I changed my habits and had a predefined idea of what to do next. I had worked in the private, public and third sectors. I’d built things from scratch, closed contracts down, done a merger and my last role was a turnaround which was the hardest thing I have ever done. I had never done a scale-up and wanted to work in a fast-paced, high growth business that had a lot of young people in it. Technology was an obvious match and that’s how I ended up applying for the job at 6point6. 

How are you helping break the bias?

I think sometimes as women we help perpetuate the bias. We need to be our own allies which is why I’m passionate about the Women in Tech community at 6point6. We must remember that not all women are the same. I am intentional about being objective and inclusive so that we make the right decisions in the business for all women, not just those that speak up the most.

Advice you would give to women aspiring to reach leadership roles and those that are in these roles already

I think we need to be clear about the concept of leadership. This question is more about women aspiring to reach decision-making positions and that’s very different. Leadership is not a gift that comes automatically just because you get promoted. It’s not about authority at all. Leadership is about using your personal power to win the hearts and minds of others to achieve a common purpose. Women have personal power coming out of our ears and we can all be leaders now. Job title or not.

Getting off my soapbox, my advice is it starts with you. Self-awareness comes first. Before you can lead other people well, you need to know and control yourself. Get to know your authentic self and the impact that has by seeking feedback from others often. If you can understand what makes you great and what you need to work on, that will serve you well. You won’t fix everything, I get things wrong all the time, but if you know it’s happening you can mitigate. People will follow you if you can admit you are not invincible and can be vulnerable.

Interested in a career at 6point6? Explore our current opportunities.