In March, International Women's Day provided a chance to spotlight the efforts of recruitment leaders who are striving to empower more women to reach their leadership aspirations. Allow us to introduce you to the four remarkable women leaders of Monroe Philippines who are actively making a difference:
Monica Viladot – Managing Director
Arleah Parado – Regional Division Head – Technology
Jeleica Uy– Division Head - Health & Consumer
Frilyn Corilla – Division Head - Industrial
Their passion for inspiring and supporting women in the workplace is evident in their unwavering commitment to help women achieve their full potential and pursue their goals and dreams. Let’s discover what drives their successful careers in the following interview.
Describe your leadership style and how you “lead” others.
JELEICA:My leadership style has evolved over the years. I set clear expectations at the very beginning and show my team how to meet it. While I am hands-on, I know when to let them be and enable them to showcase their own technique. But if faced with setbacks, I am there to lead them back to the right path. What is constant and what I ensure is, my team see me walk the talk.
ARLEAH:I value empowering my team as a leader, shining the spotlight on them, and promoting a culture of collaboration and innovation. I honestly don’t have a one-size-fits-all leadership style but generally I make an effort to lead by example, be consultative, and am constantly receptive to suggestions and fresh ideas from my team.
What strategies can work well to promote inclusion in the workplace?
MONICA:Promoting inclusion in the workplace is crucial for creating a positive and productive work environment. For us, fostering a culture of respect, educating employees on the values of diversity, and the importance of creating an inclusive workplace, has always been a priority. We encourage companies to promote open communication, share DE&I values, promote diversity in hiring, ensure there’s certain flexibility and accommodations for working moms, employees with disabilities, etc. We don’t forget to have fun and celebrate diversity. With these initiatives, we can create a more diverse and engaged workforce, which ultimately benefits everyone in the organization, including the organization itself.
FRILYN:Encourage open communication and create a culture where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns. Another strategy is to provide diversity and inclusion training to educate employees on the importance of embracing differences and avoiding biases. Additionally, establish employee resource groups to create a supportive space for employees to connect, share experiences and advocate for diversity.
Have you encountered gender preferences for certain jobs in the recruitment market?
MONICA: Yes of course, we come across thousands of jobs every day, and many of them still have a gender preference element. It will definitely take some time for these gender preferences disappear, but we can make an impact by suggesting candidates for certain roles which are not from the typical gender.
ARLEAH: As a female leader engaging mostly with tech industry professionals, I have regrettably run into instances when some express a preference for men in particular job roles. Yet because I firmly believe in promoting equal opportunities for all, I strive to educate and encourage companies to consider a diverse range of candidates based on their skills and qualifications, rather than gender. I believe that by advocating for inclusion and diversity in the recruitment process, we can help to break down gender preferences and create a more equal and diverse workplace for all.
What are the benefits of having empowered women in the organization?
JELEICA:Having empowered women in the organization shows that women play a pivotal role in making the home and the workplace a better place. Women are more likely to be carers; we know that emotions play an important part in making the team more engaged and collaborative, and so we use that leverage in making the workplace a great place to work in.
FRILYN:Having empowered women in the organization can bring benefits such as diverse perspectives, increased collaboration, improved decision-making, better employee retention, enhanced company reputation, and better financial performance.
Through the inspiring stories of the four women leaders at Monroe Philippines, we have seen how passion, dedication, and hard work can lead to success and make a positive impact on others. As we continue to work towards greater gender equality in the workplace, it's important to recognize and support the efforts of women who are leading the way and setting an example for future generations. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and diverse workforce that benefits everyone. If you're interested in hearing directly from these inspiring leaders, check out our video interview featuring the four women leaders of Monroe Philippines: 4 Questions with 4 Leaders