I grew up in a small outback central western Queensland town called Barcaldine.  There were about 2,200 people in the shire and probably 1,500 in the town itself.  The really interesting thing about growing up in a small town is that you have a cross-section of people in a small area.  All aspects of humanity are played out on most days and you are aware of it pretty quickly if not directly then certainly indirectly through the gossip channels which worked faster than most internet speeds today.

Fortunate to grow up in a middle-class family with a mother that valued education, I could aspire to achieve.  On the other hand, there were families in the town that did it tough and their children were tough too.

This upbringing highlighted to me the randomness of birth.  Yet, our society is built around the notion of meritocracy ie ‘intelligence + application = merit’.  We all have the chance to reach the top.  We just need to apply ourselves.  Reward is greatest for those that work the hardest at the equation.

How does this notion work for so many levels of our society?  It doesn’t.  In many cases, especially for the poor, disabled, women and non-white people, vested interests ensure that the playing field is not even.  Then there is unconscious bias.  In the Western world, we’ve had thousands of years of seeing strong, tall men as leaders.  Our perception has determined the norm.

You often hear it’s about the best person for the job. Of course, this would be a wonderful aspiration if we had an unbiased system that didn’t rely on people to make this assessment.

Julie Bishop once said “I refuse to acknowledge [the glass ceiling].  I’m not saying it doesn’t exist.  But the approach I’ve taken is that if I want something I’ll work hard and set my mind to it and if it comes off that’s great.  If it doesn’t I’m not going to blame the fact I’m a woman.  I’m not going to look at life through the prism of gender.”

I wonder what she thinks now after our recent political joust. Julie’s credentials would have meant she was definitely up there as the best person for the job as our Prime Minister or at least our Deputy Prime Minister.  Yet, our country now has lost all of her talents and abilities in the political leadership arena.

A fair and healthy society requires far more than is encompassed in the notion of meritocracy.  It requires a respect for all regardless of ability.  Perhaps even the notion of superiority on any basis needs to be reconsidered. 

Valuing the skills and activities that contribute to other’s wellbeing rather than economic output alone may need to be considered.  If this was the case, women’s contribution through all their unpaid caring work would be valued much more highly and their societal status given more prominence.

Humility in the face of achievement needs to be encouraged rather than belief in one’s own deservedness. 

It also requires wide-spread support for sharing the benefits of material progress not on the basis of a flawed idea of individual merit but on the basis of the human and investment needs of the society as a whole. 

This is the only way that we will ensure that the potential of every person is nurtured and enhanced for the betterment of all.

My research and experience show that extra support is required for the parts of society that are disadvantaged through the uneven playing field. This is the reason why I’m passionate to provide support to women with my Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Program and Executive Coaching.  This support makes it easier to navigate the system to achieve what you dream for your life.

The next program Women’s Empowerment and Leadership Program is on 8th and 9th November, 2018.