May 2025 Newsletter

We’ve heard a lot about glass ceilings. But for many women, especially in tech and data, it’s not the ceiling that’s the problem. It’s the first step onto the leadership ladder. And it’s still broken.

🧭 The data is clear and the impact is everywhere

According to McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace 2024 report, for every 100 men promoted to manager, only 81 women are. That number drops even further for women of colour. What’s more this is a declining figure, and it's the broken rung in action meaning fewer women ever make it into the leadership pipeline.

And those who do? Often carry the weight of being “the only.”

The result? Underrepresentation. Missed potential.

💬 What I’ve seen inside organisations

I worked with a cohort of high-potential women in a FTSE 100 organisation,. They were brilliant contributors who weren’t progressing, despite aspiration, glowing reviews and real impact.

What changed? We created space for reflection, challenge, and community. And in that space:

• They reconnected with their ambition and voice

• They named the internalised messages holding them back

• They built the confidence and language to advocate for what they wanted

And the result? Half the cohort were promoted within six months. Not because they worked harder. But because we removed the fog that had quietly built up around them.

🔍 What you can do (today)

Whether you're leading a team, or looking to take the next step, try asking: 

“Where might I be waiting for permission I don’t actually need?”

This question often unlocks hidden stories like:

• “I’m not ready yet.”

• “They’ll ask if they think I’m capable.”

• “I should be 110% qualified before applying.”

These beliefs are learned responses to broken systems, they are not facts.

Talk it through with someone. Journal it. Challenge the narrative.Because often, the rung isn’t broken by design, it’s broken by assumption.

And if that hit home, back by popular demand, my:

📣 Unconscious Bias & Allyship Seminar

If this topic resonates, or if you’re ready to go deeper, I’m running another live open access Unconscious Bias & Allyship Seminar at the end of May.

Whether you’ve attended before or missed the last one, this is your chance to:

• Notice how bias shows up in everyday decisions

• Understand what true allyship looks like

• Walk away with insight and actions you can use straight away

🗓️ Tuesday 28 May📍 Online via Zoom🎟️ Free to attend – spaces limited

👉 Reserve your place here 

Spots fill quickly, I'd love to see you there.

Until then, stay courageous and brilliant.

Warmly,Vicky Pike