Aussie businesswomen are more likely to attribute their success to a team rather than themselves, according to a recent survey.
The study involving more than 100 finalists of the 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Awards found 92 percent of respondents said women talk about ‘we’ rather than ‘me’ when discussing their achievements.
The importance of the team extends beyond the workplace with 87 percent of respondents saying they engaged in networking outside of the office while 56 percent networked inside their workplace.
Women are harnessing and sharing knowledge through mentoring; according to the findings, 74 percent of respondents said they currently mentor other women.
Of those with a mentor, 25 percent agreed the experience was critical to their success while a further 50 percent said it was significant.
According the survey strong communications, self-confidence, leadership, financial literacy and integrity are the top five skills women should possess in business.
Almost 50 percent of respondents said they made significant career changes to seek challenges in new sectors or move to areas they were passionate about while 66 percent engaged in continuing education.
The survey was undertaken in the lead-up to the national finals of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards in Sydney on November 21.
Telstra’s director of corporate marketing Inese Kingsmill said the 2012 Awards finalists are an incredible group of women whose leadership and innovation is vital for the nation’s prosperity.
“Their views provide valuable insights into how business women are advancing their careers through networking and professional development,” she said.
The eight women in the running for the title of 2012 Telstra Australian Business Woman of the Year include:
- Kylie Bishop, CEO of LBW Environment, South Australia
- Kate Cooper, General Manager of Alice Springs Airport Pty Ltd, Northern Territory
- Carolyn Creswell, Managing Director of Carman’s Fine Foods, Victoria
- Audette Excel, Founder of ISIS (Asia Pacific) Pty Ltd, NSW
- Lucinda Mills, Equity Partner at Camerons, Tasmania
- Therese Rein, Managing Director of Ingeus and Assure Programs, Queensland
- Julie Shuttleworth, General Manager, Barrick Gold Corporation, Western Australia
- Dr Helen Watchirs, ACT Human Rights and Discrimination Commissioner, ACT.
