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The Australian Navy Women’s Mentoring Program was officially launched today at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra.
The mentoring program forms part of the Navy Women’s Leadership Program and will utilise the ‘My Mentor’ program created by former Telstra Business Woman of the Year and CEO of Emberin, Maureen Frank.
Speaking at the launch in Canberra, Rear Admiral Trevor Jones, Head of Navy People and Reputation, said, “In the maritime combat space Navy has more women in combat roles. The ADF has a proud history, and continues to display its commitment to its female members, current and future, with initiatives such as this.”
Designed by Emberin, ‘My Mentor’ is a highly regarded program, and has been implemented in many corporate and public sector organisations around Australia, as part of gender diversity strategies to help women achieve their career potential and counter the gender imbalance in the workforce.
The launch of the Navy Women’s Mentoring Program was attended by female Navy members participating in the program, ranging in rank from Able Seaman to Captain.
Guest speaker Professor Kerryn Phelps said the presence of female members wanting to enhance their leadership prospects was encouraging.
“Women in the military may face unique challenges, but they also enjoy unique benefits – access to leadership training, career progression, not to mention travel and adventure,” Professor Phelps said.
“The world is changing and I am pleased to see that traditionally male areas such as the military are changing with it.”
‘My Mentor’ is DVD/CD and workbook-based, and is designed to be completed over a 12-week period. Navy Captains Elizabeth Rushbrook and Siobhan Bacon feature in the DVD, along with many highly regarded senior women from corporate and public sectors.
“What is so important about this program is that it is designed to enhance female leadership in the Royal Australian Navy, and can be used to shape our desired Navy culture through empowering and supporting these future leaders,” Rear Admiral Jones said.
“This program will assist in taking Navy in the direction that society in general is heading – of flexible careers, flexible work options and an inclusive culture.”
For more information about the ‘My Mentor’ program visit the website www.emberin.com
Women have been politely taking on board the feedback about the experience, expertise and networking they need to do to get into the top jobs for decades now… to little effect. Macchiavelli said all those years ago that those with the power will never voluntarily give it up. So why would the men who dominate business step aside for women? We know that organizations with more women in leadership roles produce financial results up to 35% stronger – so why don’t the shareholders insist on diversity? Because the Institutional Investors are dominated by men at the top who are threatened by the idea of diminishing their power. Organisations have also spent millions on womens programs in the past… again with little result. Targets won’t do it; we need quotas like Norway to force the shift (in Norway the quotas were only enforced by Government after boards failed to meet and work towards targets). And like Norway, we’ll find that there are in fact plenty of women qualified for board and executive positions. And we’ll also see that getting more women into leadership roles encourages more women to get there too.