Standard Chartered empowers female leaders

Standard Chartered intends to be a leader in gender diversity by 2011. The need to achieve leadership in this area is driven by business imperatives and organizations have understood that if they do not address this issue they could face the prospect of losing 50 per cent of the potential leaders of their workforce.

Women are seen as major shapers in the market, with products and services designed specifically for women. Gender diversity is also a key component in creating an inclusive environment where each individual has an equal opportunity to maximize their potential and perform to the peak of their abilities.

The Bank's gender diversity strategy aims to position the Bank as the right partner for talent, customers and the communities in which we operate. There has been much achieved in creating the climate to attract and retain talented women though there is a recognition that do so continually and to be innovative in both policies and practices is a challenge.

In an effort to meet some of the challenges identified, Standard Chartered Sri Lanka conducted a series of programs for some of its female associates, the first of which called upon the expertise of William Richards. Richards specializes in helping executives and those in the media eye develop their personal power in relation to communication and influence.

The course was specifically designed for women in leadership roles within Standard Chartered. The course aimed to help participants present themselves and their ideas with confidence, clarity and authority.

The training encouraged participants to overcome inhibitions, became more assertive, whilst retaining their individuality and sensitivity to others. The course also sought to discover the optimum capacities of an individual in all forms of communication.

The recently concluded Borderlands Out Bound Training program held at a Hotel Down South took the form a series of team oriented exercises. The day's activities were with the intention to enhance the participants leadership, teamwork and creative abilities.

They were brought together by the Bank with the special intention of building their strength and direction towards becoming the best business persons and professionals they can be disregarding their gender or even age.